Senior Mechanical Engineer, Quantum Clock Systems

Mesa Quantum Systems; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Mesa Quantum Systems in Boulder, CO seeks a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical and thermal design of a chip-scale atomic clock, from physics package through enclosure and production. You will reduce size, weight, power, and cost while ensuring reliability under demanding conditions.

Model, build, and test prototypes, then collaborate with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners to transition designs into production.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience, or MS/PhD with 5+ years.
• Advanced SolidWorks or Creo skills, including production drawings and GD&T.
• Experience with thermal and structural FEA using tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, or SolidWorks Simulation, validated against test data.
• Hands-on experience with thermal management, precision hardware, and ruggedization for shock and vibration.
• Experience designing small hardware from prototype through production, including vacuum or hermetic packaging and leak testing.
• Ability to build and test prototypes, document designs clearly, and work directly with machine shops, vendors, and contract manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Own system-level mechanical architecture, CAD design, drawings, prototypes, and production release.
• Manage mass, volume, and power budgets; run trade studies to reduce SWaP-C without compromising clock stability.
• Develop thermal designs and models for vapor cell, laser, and electronics; correlate with test data.
• Design for shock, vibration, and thermal cycling; plan and execute environmental tests and improvements.
• Develop vacuum or hermetic packaging, magnetic shielding, and precise alignment for optics and components.
• Drive design for manufacturing and assembly, supplier collaboration, assembly docs, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with physics, photonics, electrical, firmware, and manufacturing teams on clock designs.

Skills

SolidWorks

Creo

GD&T

FEM

Thermal Management

Vacuum Packaging

Prototyping

Vendor Collaboration

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Mesa Quantum Systems in Boulder, CO seeks a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical and thermal design of a chip-scale atomic clock, from physics package through enclosure and production. You will reduce size, weight, power, and cost while ensuring reliability under demanding conditions.

Model, build, and test prototypes, then collaborate with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners to transition designs into production.