Senior Mechanical Engineer

Quantum Software; Berkeley, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Equity

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Job summary

Rigetti Computing seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to architect and optimize hardware for quantum platforms, from room temperature interfaces to millikelvin environments. You will lead mechanical design for cryostats, RF packaging, and vacuum enclosures, collaborating with physicists and RF engineers to ensure coherence and reliability in experimental deployments.

The role requires advanced CAD, tolerance analysis, and multi-physics simulations, plus hands-on prototyping and documentation in

Qualifications

• MS degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent field.
• 7+ years of industry experience in mechanical design and systems engineering.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Strong background in tolerance analysis and GD&T principles.
• Experience in thermal and structural modeling and simulation.
• Familiarity with documentation control, revision management, and PLM tools.
• Excellent cross-disciplinary communication and project collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and document assembly processes.

Responsibilities

• Senior the mechanical design of complex hardware subsystems including cryostat internal architecture, custom components for signal chain and metal enclosures
• Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Drive end-to-end design of mechanical interfaces from room temperature down to the millikelvin regime
• Design thermal anchoring and shielding systems optimized for mechanical stability and quantum coherence
• Perform thermal, vibrational, and structural simulations using FEA tools to ensure performance and robustness
• Build and validate mechanical/cryogenic prototypes in lab
• Collaborate with quantum physics teams to ensure system-level functionality in live quantum experiments
• Work closely with hardware, cryo, RF, and systems teams to deliver integrated, scalable quantum hardware platforms
• Develop specifications for outsourced components and manage supplier relationships for critical assemblies such as vacuum flanges, cryo fixtures, and RF housings
• Author assembly documentation, and maintain design traceability in PLM system

Skills

Mechanical design

Systems engineering

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Assembly processes

Education

MS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

SolidWorks

PLM tools

Job description

Rigetti Computing is at the forefront of building scalable quantum computers. We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to architect, design, develop, and optimize advanced hardware systems that form the backbone of our next-generation quantum computing platforms. In this role, you will lead the mechanical design and integration of hardware that enables RF signal delivery and silicon device packaging within dilution refrigerators. These systems form the critical interface between room-temperature control electronics and ultra-low-temperature environments where superconducting qubits operate. You will collaborate closely with quantum device physicists, electrical/RF engineers, systems integration teams, and external fabrication partners to deliver innovative, high-performance mechanical systems for customer-deployed quantum computers.

Key Responsibilities: System Design & Development

• Senior the mechanical design of complex hardware subsystems including cryostat internal architecture, custom components for signal chain and metal enclosures
• Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Drive end-to-end design of mechanical interfaces from room temperature down to the millikelvin regime
• Design thermal anchoring and shielding systems optimized for mechanical stability and quantum coherence
• Perform thermal, vibrational, and structural simulations using FEA tools to ensure performance and robustness
• Build and validate mechanical/cryogenic prototypes in lab
• Collaborate with quantum physics teams to ensure system-level functionality in live quantum experiments
• Work closely with hardware, cryo, RF, and systems teams to deliver integrated, scalable quantum hardware platforms
• Develop specifications for outsourced components and manage supplier relationships for critical assemblies such as vacuum flanges, cryo fixtures, and RF housings
• Author assembly documentation, and maintain design traceability in PLM system

Required Qualifications

• M.S. degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent field
• 7+ years of industry experience in mechanical design and systems engineering
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
• Strong background in tolerance analysis and GD&T principles
• Experience in thermal and structural modeling and simulation
• Familiarity with documentation control, revision management, and PLM tools
• Excellent cross-disciplinary communication and project collaboration skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and document assembly processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with thermal-mechanical effects in cryogenic materials and multi-physics system design
• Experience with RF packaging and electronic device integration in cryogenic or vacuum environments
• Quality assurance experience including inspection methodologies and non-conformance resolution
• Hands-on machining or fabrication experience to support rapid prototyping and design iteration

$165,000 - $190,000 a year

Base Salary

Rigetti complies with all local and state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, skills, and geographic location. Rigetti offers a full slate of benefits from competitive salaries, equity, medical, dental and vision for employees as well as a 401(k) plan, a paid parental leave program, rejuvenation days, and avacation policy that aligns with local regulations and industry standards.

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

QUANTUM ROLE CONTEXT | Appended by Quantum.Jobs v2

Role context:

This role exists to design and integrate physical hardware subassemblies operating across extreme thermal regimes. Positioned between quantum device physicists and electrical engineering teams, mechanical engineers in this function bridge conceptual quantum processor architectures and physical laboratory infrastructure. They establish thermal anchoring, structural enclosures, and signal routing pathways to maintain mechanical integrity within cryostats. By converting experimental hardware concepts into robust mechanical assemblies, professionals in this position enable physical quantum processing units to operate reliably alongside room-temperature control electronics.

Quantum ecosystem relevance:

The role supports quantum hardware commercialization by providing essential mechanical and cryogenic packaging infrastructure for superconducting qubits. Operating within dilution refrigerators, these mechanical interfaces ensure environmental isolation and thermal dissipation required for maintaining quantum state stability. By refining internal cryostat architectures and RF packaging methods, engineering personnel enable scalable hardware deployment, translating fragile experimental setups into stable, customer-ready quantum computing platforms.

Capability signals:

• Senior mechanical engineering expertise applied to complex cryogenic and thermal system architectures
• Advanced proficiency in structural modeling, thermal simulations, and precision multi-physics CAD design
• Experience integrating RF device packaging within ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerator environments
• Proven management of supplier relationships for specialized mechanical and vacuum enclosure components
• Track record of defining assembly processes and maintaining technical design documentation standards