Senior Laser Engineer

Cantos Ventures; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Unlimited PTO

401K matching

Disability insurance

FSA

Dependent care benefits

Life insurance

Snacks and catered team lunches

Job summary

Atom Computing is seeking a Senior Laser Engineer to own precision laser and optical systems, including diode and fiber lasers and nonlinear optical frequency conversion. You will lead troubleshooting, design, and optimization for new hardware builds while coordinating with physicists and engineers across the company.

The role requires a strong track record in laser/optics, independent project leadership, and excellent documentation and communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, optics, engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience with optical, opto-mechanical, or laser systems.
• Proven ability to lead laser/optics projects independently.
• Experience designing/modeling nonlinear optical or laser/amplifier systems.
• Strong data analysis skills and experience with engineering documentation.
• Excellent cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Own alignment, tuning, and troubleshooting of laser/optical systems.
• Design, characterize, phase-lock, and optimize systems for new hardware builds and upgrades.
• Lead technical projects end-to-end: gather requirements, build action plans, and drive prioritization and schedule.
• Analyze optical test data — plotting, fitting, interpreting — to guide design decisions.
• Set the documentation and technical-writing standard for the team, and review the work of other engineers.
• Partner with experimental physicists, hardware, and software engineers, and report progress to the Laser Engineering Manager.

Skills

Laser/optics mastery

Project leadership

Data analysis

Engineering documentation

Communication

Mentoring

Python

Git

CAD tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physics/Optics/Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Zemax

Onshape

SolidWorks

Job description

At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.

As a Senior Laser Engineer, you'll independently own the precision laser and optical systems — diode and fiber lasers, nonlinear optical frequency conversion — that keep our quantum computers running reliably. You'll bring deep expertise in one or more laser/optics domains to our hardest technical problems, set the bar for documentation and technical rigor, and partner closely with physicists, hardware, and software engineers as we scale.

Job Responsibilities

• Own alignment, tuning, and troubleshooting of laser and optical systems — diode and fiber lasers/amplifiers, nonlinear optical systems — with minimal supervision
• Design, characterize, phase-lock, and optimize laser and nonlinear optical systems for new hardware builds and upgrades
• Lead technical projects end-to-end: gather requirements, build action plans, and drive prioritization and schedule
• Analyze optical test data — plotting, fitting, interpreting — to guide design and troubleshooting decisions
• Set the documentation and technical-writing standard for the team, and review the work of other engineers
• Partner with experimental physicists, hardware, and software engineers, and report progress to the Laser Engineering Manager

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Optics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus
• 5+ years of experience using, maintaining, and independently developing optical, opto-mechanical, and/or laser systems

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated mastery in at least one laser/optics domain (e.g., diode/fiber lasers and amplifiers, nonlinear optical systems, phase-locking), evidenced by concrete project contributions
• Track record of leading laser/optical projects independently, from requirements through completion
• Experience designing and modeling nonlinear optical or laser/amplifier systems
• Strong data analysis skills, and comfort producing and working from engineering documentation (change orders, assembly drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams)
• Excellent communicator, able to set the documentation and technical-writing bar for a cross-functional team of physicists and engineers

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring or reviewing the work of junior engineers
• Proficiency with Python and Git
• Proficiency with Zemax, Onshape, and/or SolidWorks/CAD

Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!

The base salary range for this position is between $150,000 – $175,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

150000 - 175000 USD a year