Senior Optical Engineer

CT19; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CT19 in Boston is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to advance scalable quantum hardware by designing optical and opto-mechanical systems across the full product lifecycle. You will collaborate with physicists and engineering teams, own system-level design using Zemax, COMSOL and CAD, and contribute hands-on lab work from concept to production to translate breakthroughs into deployable quantum platforms.

This role requires independent leadership within a multidisciplinary environment and a track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• 5–8 years of experience designing optical or opto-mechanical systems in an industry or applied research environment (e.g. industry, national lab, or similar).
• Strong system-level design experience, including tools such as Zemax, COMSOL, and CAD.
• Deep expertise across several of the following areas: Free-space and fibre optics; Lasers and modulators; Electronics; Optical system characterisation and testing; Ultra-high vacuum systems.
• Strong hands-on laboratory experience (assembly, alignment, testing, etc.).
• Proven experience developing complex optical systems from concept through to production.
• Ability to operate independently as a senior-level engineer within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with physicists and cross-functional teams to architect optical systems, subsystems, and components across the full product lifecycle (R&D through to deployment and support).
• Design and develop advanced optical and opto-mechanical systems for quantum computing platforms.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in engineering practices through research and problem-solving.
• Partner closely with research teams to translate scientific advances into scalable product solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues both on-site and at customer installations.

Skills

Free-space and fibre optics

Lasers and modulators

Electronics

Optical system characterisation and测试

Ultra-high vacuum systems

Hands-on laboratory experience

Concept to production

Independent senior-level engineer

Education

Bachelor's degree in optics/optical engineering/applied physics

Tools

Zemax

COMSOL

CAD

Job description

A leading quantum computing organisation is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to play a key role in the development of advanced, scalable quantum hardware systems. This position sits within a high-impact hardware engineering team responsible for translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world, deployable products.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineer to contribute as a senior individual contributor, combining deep technical expertise in optics with practical engineering experience in an industry environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with physicists and cross-functional teams to define requirements and architect optical systems, subsystems, and components across the full product lifecycle (R&D through to deployment and support).
• Design and develop advanced optical and opto-mechanical systems for quantum computing platforms.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in engineering practices through research and problem-solving.
• Partner closely with research teams to translate scientific advances into scalable product solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues both on-site and at customer installations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• 5–8 years of experience designing optical or opto-mechanical systems in an industry or applied research environment (e.g. industry, national lab, or similar).
• Strong system-level design experience, including tools such as Zemax, COMSOL, and CAD.
• Deep expertise across several of the following areas:
• Free-space and fibre optics
• Lasers and modulators
• Electronics
• Optical system characterisation and testing
• Ultra-high vacuum systems
• Strong hands-on laboratory experience (assembly, alignment, testing, etc.).
• Proven experience developing complex optical systems from concept through to production.
• Ability to operate independently as a senior-level engineer within a multidisciplinary team.