Senior Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer, Quantum Hardware Lead

Rigetti; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rigetti Computing seeks a Senior Mechanical/Cryogenic Engineer to own the mechanical architecture of our quantum hardware from room temperature down to millikelvin, including cryogenic wiring and thermal interfaces.

You will lead design lifecycle, perform thermal/vibration analyses, mentor engineers, and collaborate with quantum physicists, RF engineers, and systems teams to deliver high-precision cryogenic systems.

Qualifications

• 7+ years designing complex mechanical or electromechanical systems with end-to-end hardware ownership.
• Expert-level SolidWorks — large assemblies, GD&T-compliant drawing packages, and DFM workflows.
• Independent proficiency in SolidWorks, COMSOL or ANSYS for thermal and structural analysis.
• Experience with hardware operating in cryogenic, vacuum, or extreme thermal environments.
• Strong ME fundamentals: stress analysis, tolerance stack-ups, materials selection, and failure mode analysis.
• Proven ability to lead technical efforts and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Direct experience with dilution refrigerators, cryostats, or sub-Kelvin systems in quantum computing or precision instrumentation.
• Knowledge of superconducting quantum hardware architecture and millikelvin design constraints.
• RF/microwave packaging experience: connector specification, hermetic sealing, and cable routing in cryostats.
• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols, vacuum-compatible assembly, and contamination-sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design of cryogenic hardware from 300 K to millikelvin — thermal anchoring, RF wiring, flex interconnects, coaxial routing, filter housings, and connector packaging across all temperature stages.
• Lead the full design lifecycle: concept, CAD, GD&T drawings, BOMs, tolerance analysis, prototype builds, qualification testing, and manufacturing release.
• Define cryogenic mechanical interfaces and thermal conduction budgets; drive design-for-manufacturability with external machine shops and precision vendors.
• Perform mechanical, thermal, and vibration analyses independently using COMSOL, ANSYS, or equivalent; use simulation results to drive design decisions and iteration.
• Lead prototype builds, system integration, and cryogenic bring-up; diagnose integration failures and drive root cause analysis.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead design reviews.
• Maintain rigorous documentation — CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and revision-controlled design records — within the company PLM system.
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field (M.S. preferred).

Skills

SolidWorks

GD&T

Thermal analysis

Vibration analysis

Leadership

Cryogenic design

DFM workflows

RF/microwave packaging

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. preferred

Tools

COMSOL

ANSYS

Job description

Rigetti Computing seeks a Senior Mechanical/Cryogenic Engineer to own the mechanical architecture of our quantum hardware from room temperature down to millikelvin, including cryogenic wiring and thermal interfaces.

You will lead design lifecycle, perform thermal/vibration analyses, mentor engineers, and collaborate with quantum physicists, RF engineers, and systems teams to deliver high-precision cryogenic systems.