Senior Optical Engineer

Atom Computing, Inc.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Unlimited PTO

401(k) match

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Catered lunches

Job summary

Atom Computing, Inc. in Boulder, CO seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to lead opto-mechanical subsystem design and drive build-out with fixtures for precision alignment. The role reports to Optical Engineering Manager and requires on-site work five days a week.

You will collaborate with mechanical engineers and physicists, define system architecture, and lead hands-on assembly and alignment while evaluating performance of optical subsystems across high-NA imaging and optical cavities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years optical design experience.
• 4+ years hands-on optics assembly in a lab.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to design optical subsystems for laser distribution and imaging.
• Define system architecture and balance competing requirements.
• Create designs and specifications from component to system level.
• Perform tolerance and stray light analyses to validate solutions.
• Develop alignment procedures and lead precision assembly.
• Characterize performance of optical subsystems.
• Lift and move objects up to 25 pounds.

Skills

Optical design

Zemax/FRED

3D CAD

Project management

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences/Engineering

Tools

Zemax

FRED

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. Atom Computing is seeking an Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive their build out and develop fixtures and processes for their precision alignment and assembly. This position reports to the Optical Engineering Manager and requires on-site work at our Boulder, CO facility five days per week.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional partnerships with mechanical engineers and physicists to iteratively design optical subsystems in the areas of laser distribution, high numerical aperture microscope imaging, and optical cavities
• Define system architecture and make critical strategic decisions for balancing competing requirements
• Create novel designs and specifications of optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level
• Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis
• Develop alignment procedures for optical designs
• Lead hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs
• Characterize the performance of optical subsystems
• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field. Advanced degree a plus
• 5+ years optical design experience
• 4+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment

Qualifications

• Experience in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems
• Proficiency with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software
• Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software
• Project management skills and the ability to lead technical initiatives independently
• High attention-to-detail and accuracy
• Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment
• Excellent communication, listening and people skills

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 - $180,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.