Senior Materials and Process Engineer

Infleqtion, Inc.

Louisville (KY)

On-site

USD 130,000 - 170,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

100% company-paid medical, dental, and

Vision coverage

Employer-funded Health Savings Account

Unlimited PTO

401(k) match

Life and AD&D Insurance

Flexible Savings Account

Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Student Loan Repayment

Equity Program

Job summary

Infleqtion, Inc. seeks a Senior Materials and Process Engineer to own materials and manufacturing process development for the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) program.

This role combines precision assembly, UHV processing, materials evaluation, inspection, and problem solving with cross-functional collaboration. You will lead fabrication processes for challenging components, develop cleaning and packaging methods, and create thorough documentation to ensure repeatable builds and successful

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field or similar.
Experience in materials processing, product design, and testing.
Experience with adhesive/epoxy selection and testing for low outgassing.
Familiarity with MEMS and nanoscale processing and cleaning.
Experience with multiple materials characterization techniques (SEM/EDS/XPS/XRD).
Knowledge of vacuum processing, UHV systems, and leak testing.
Proficiency with SolidWorks and GD&T; ability to read drawings and tolerances.

Responsibilities

Lead fabrication and assembly processes for UHV and optical hardware.
Perform precision cleanroom assembly, fixtures, and inspection.
Develop cleaning, contamination-control, handling, and packaging methods.
Plan and execute material/process trials and analyze results.
Create and maintain engineering documentation and build travelers.
Coordinate priorities and resolve shortages with suppliers and teams.
Train technicians to execute repeatable processes and hand off to production.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Materials science

Engineering physics

Cleanroom operations

UHV processing

Fine manual assembly

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science or materials engineering, engineering physics, or similar

Tools

SolidWorks

3D CAD (GD&T)

SEM

EDS

XRD

XPS

Vacuum systems knowledge

Job description

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world’s most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables “quantum everywhere” through our ecosystem of devices and platforms.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a Senior Materials and Process Engineer to own materials and manufacturing process development for the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) program. This hands‑on role turns evolving physics-package designs into repeatable, documented builds, supporting engineering development units and the transition to flight hardware.

The role combines precision assembly, ultra‑high vacuum (UHV) processing, materials evaluation, inspection, and practical problem solving. You will work with physicists, design engineers, technicians, quality, suppliers, and JPL counterparts to resolve build issues and deliver clean, traceable hardware built with well‑understood and repeatable processes.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary function of this role is to lead the development and maturation of fabrication and assembly processes for Infleqtion’s most challenging components, such as integrated UHV components that combine multi‑disciplinary manufacturing processes. This includes, but is not limited to:

Perform and guide precision cleanroom assembly, fine manual operations, component preparation, fixturing, and inspection.
Develop and validate cleaning, contamination‑control, handling, storage, and packaging methods for UHV and optical hardware, including removal of machining and lapping residues.
Develop joining and finishing processes with internal specialists and suppliers, including laser spot welding, glass‑to‑metal welding, soldering/brazing, coatings, lapping, and polishing.
Interpret drawings and tolerances; inspect parts and assemblies using microscopy, dimensional metrology, surface profilometry, and 3D scanning. Investigate defects and failure modes, support root cause analysis, and implement verified corrective actions.
Plan and execute material and process trials: connect test efforts and success metrics to program objectives, work with project leadership to allocate schedule and resources, coordinate material procurement and preparation, guide test implementation, and analyze results.
Create and maintain engineering documentation, including technical drawings, mechanical assembly packages, work instructions, standard operating procedures, build travelers, inspection sheets, process parameters, and as‑built records.
Define inspection and witness points with quality and customer representatives. Incorporate lessons learned into build documentation to ensure safe and reliable execution of fabrication and assembly processes.
Coordinate QGG daily build priorities, material readiness, and process dependencies. Work with project engineering, procurement, and suppliers to resolve shortages and outsourced‑process issues.
Engage with design, system, and test engineering functions through active engagement in formal and informal design reviews, test planning, and environmental‑test investigations with process data and failure analysis.
Train technicians and engineers to execute repeatable processes and manage the successful handoff of those processes.

QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s or Master’sdegreeinmechanicalengineering,electrical engineering,materials science ormaterialsengineering,engineering physics, or similar

At least5years of experience in an industry or academic environmentworking on materials processing, productdesign, productdevelopmentand testing

Experiencedwith adhesive/epoxyselectionand testing, ideallyfor low outgassing applications

Experiencedwithsomemicroscale and/ornanoscale processing(e.g.,MEMS design and testing, wet benchetching,cleaning,andprocessing)

Experienced withseveralmaterialscharacterizationand elemental analysistechniques includinghigh resolution microscopy,SEM, EDS, XPS, SIMS, XRD and X-ray CT scanning
Experiencedwith laser systemsand laser safety,and ideallyoptics and opto-mechanics
Experiencedwith vacuum processing and UHVsystems, designingand troubleshootingthem(includingheliumleak Experiencedwithsomemicroscale and/ornanoscale processing(e.g.,MEMS design and testing, wet benchetching,cleaning,andprocessing)
Experienced withseveralmaterialscharacterizationand elemental analysistechniques includinghigh resolution microscopy,SEM, EDS, XPS, SIMS, XRD and X-ray CT scanning
Experiencedwith laser systemsand laser safety,and relatedoptics and opto-mechanics
Experiencedwith vacuum processing and UHVsystems, including cleaning, bakeout, leak testing (includingheliumleak checking), and material compatibility, as well as designingand troubleshootingthem
Familiaritywith Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and/ormulti‑physicsmodeling (e.g.,COMSOL)
ProficientwithSolidWorksor similar 3D CAD software, includingdrawing tolerancing (GD&T)
This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience with laser spot welding, ultrafast laser welding, hermetic glass‑to‑metal joints, vacuum‑compatible soldering/brazing, or precision coatings.
Experience with atom chips, cold‑atom systems, ceramic‑to‑metal assemblies, optical windows, vacuum seals, getters, or alkali‑metal sources.
Experience with outgassing and residual gas analysis, microscopy and failure analysis, surface characterization, and precision lapping or polishing.
Experience supporting NASA, JPL, or other space hardware programs, including materials/process documentation, customer inspections, and thermal‑vacuum or vibration testing.
Experience transferring development processes to technicians or suppliers and improving assembly yield, workmanship, and build time.

TRAVEL

Upto10%travelmay berequired.

WORKING CONDITIONSand PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work will normally be performed in an officeenvironment.Able to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers; able to effectively engage in communications (via phone, computer, or in‑person).Will involve sitting, standing, walking,lifting,and carrying up to25pounds.