Senior Optical Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance for employees and/OR

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K matching

Disability insurance

FSA

Dependent care benefits

Life insurance

Drinks, snacks, catered lunches

Equity in the company

Job summary

Atom Computing seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive build-out, fixtures, and alignment processes for precision assembly.

The role requires on-site work at our Boulder, CO facility five days per week and reports to the Optical Engineering Manager.

You will lead cross-functional collaborations, define system architecture, and develop procedures for high-NA imaging and optical cavities with rigorous testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of optical design experience and 4+ years of hands-on optics assembly in a lab.
• Experience with high-NA imaging systems and 3D CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional partnerships to design optical subsystems for laser distribution and imaging.
• Define system architecture and balance competing requirements.
• Create designs and specs from component to system level.
• Perform tolerance and stray light analysis to evaluate designs.
• Develop alignment procedures for optical designs.
• Lead hands-on assembly and precision alignment of optical designs.
• Characterize performance of optical subsystems.
• Capable of lifting and moving objects up to 25 pounds.

Skills

Optical design

Assembly

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Zemax

FRED

Ray-tracing software

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

$150,000 - $180,000 a year

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.