Senior Quality Engineer

Rigetti Computing; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid parental leave

Rejuvenation days

Vacation policy

Job summary

Rigetti Computing is seeking a hands-on Quality Assurance Engineer to build and lead the Quality function for its hardware-focused teams in Berkeley. You will establish a scalable Quality Management System (QMS) and own inbound quality, NCR, and CAPA processes to ensure components meet strict quantum hardware standards.

You will collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing to drive continuous improvement in IQC, audits, and supplier performance, delivering robust quality

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Quality Management in hardware or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Strong experience with precision machined parts, PCBAs, RF hardware (preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to build or scale quality systems in a startup or low‑process environment
• Deep understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, inspection methodologies
• Experience managing supplier quality and driving vendor accountability
• Proficiency with root cause analysis tools, including 5 Whys, Fishbone, 8D and related methodologies
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical specifications
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Willingness to be hands‑on and operate across both strategy and execution

Responsibilities

• Own Incoming Quality Control (IQC), including direct responsibility for all incoming quality inspection and documentation
• Inspection plans, sampling strategies and acceptance criteria
• Build and implement a right-sized Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with industry best practices, tailored for a fast-paced hardware organization
• Perform and oversee inspection of high-precision components: tight-tolerance machined parts, PCBAs, RF hardware
• Establish and manage Non-Conformance Reporting (NCR) processes: documentation and tracking, root cause analysis, resolution and closure
• Lead material review and disposition decisions (use-as-is, rework, scrap) in collaboration with engineering and supply chain
• Drive Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) with internal teams and external vendors
• Partner directly with suppliers to resolve quality issues, improve processes and conduct audits
• Define and track key quality metrics including incoming yield, defect trends, supplier performance
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by embedding quality early and defining inspection methods
• Introduce lightweight documentation practices, traceability systems and revision control
• Identify and drive continuous improvement across hardware development and manufacturing

Skills

5+ years experience

Precision machined parts

PCBAs

RF hardware

GD&T

Root cause analysis

Engineering drawings

Documentation

Hands-on

Job description

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing problems. Our quantum computing technology has the potential to transform nearly every industry over the coming decades. As a public company with deep roots in research and engineering, we are scaling our hardware capabilities and building the systems needed to deliver reliable, high-performance quantum processors.

Role Overview

We are seeking a hands‑on Quality Assurance Engineer to build and lead the Quality function at Rigetti. This highly hands‑on role will be responsible for establishing a practical, scalable Quality Management System (QMS) while working closely with engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure our hardware meets the extreme standards required for quantum computing.

In this role, you will operate at both the strategic and tactical levels:

• Defining processes and systems from the ground up

• Engaging directly in inspection, supplier quality, and issue resolution

You will own incoming quality, non‑conformance handling, and corrective action processes, with a strong focus on:

• High‑tolerance machined components

• PCBAs

• RF/Microwave hardware used in cryogenic environments

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑moving, low‑process environment and is comfortable building structure where little exists today.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own Incoming Quality Control (IQC), including:

  • Direct responsibility for all incoming quality inspection and documentation

  • Inspection plans, sampling strategies and acceptance criteria

• Build and implement a right‑sized Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with industry best practices, tailored for a fast‑paced hardware organization

• Perform and oversee inspection of high‑precision components:

  • Tight‑tolerance machined parts

  • PCBAs

  • RF hardware

• Establish and manage Non‑Conformance Reporting (NCR) processes:

  • Documentation and tracking

  • Root cause analysis

  • Resolution and closure

• Lead material review and disposition decisions (use‑as‑is, rework, scrap) in collaboration with engineering and supply chain

• Drive Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) with internal teams and external vendors

• Partner directly with suppliers to:

  • Resolve quality issues

  • Improve processes and consistency

  • Conduct audits and follow‑ups

• Define and track key quality metrics including incoming yield, defect trends, supplier performance

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by embedding quality early. Define requirements, establish inspection methods and implement controls before scale

• Introduce lightweight but effective documentation practices, traceability systems and revision control

• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives across hardware development and manufacturing

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Quality Management in hardware or advanced manufacturing environments

• Strong experience with precision machined parts, PCBAs, RF hardware (preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to build or scale quality systems in a startup or low‑process environment

• Deep understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, inspection methodologies

• Experience managing supplier quality and driving vendor accountability

• Proficiency with root cause analysis tools, including 5 Whys, Fishbone, 8D and related methodologies

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical specifications

• Strong organizational and documentation skills

• Willingness to be hands‑on and operate across both strategy and execution

$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.

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full‑stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company’s proprietary quantum‑classical infrastructure provides ultra‑low latency integration with public and private clouds for high‑performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi‑chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in‑house at Fab‑1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

Export Licensing Compliance

Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti‑discrimination laws.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.