Optical Engineer - Lens Designer

Atom Computing • Boulder, CO

1d

About The Position

Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Engineer specializing in lens design to create custom, high-performance optical systems for quantum computers using optically trapped neutral atoms. The role owns the complete optical design lifecycle, from initial concepts and ray tracing through tolerancing and final optical prescriptions, and includes working directly with fabrication vendors to bring custom lenses to life.

The engineer will design, build, and test lens assemblies and systems for fiber collimation, laser delivery, and imaging. The position also involves researching novel lens and mirror systems, analyzing aberration correction, athermalization, and chromatic performance, and evaluating designs through tolerance and stray-light analysis. The engineer will develop alignment procedures, produce optical fabrication drawings and specifications, and collaborate with optics foundries and coating vendors to ensure manufacturability and oversee procurement of custom optical elements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or Optical Engineering.
• At least 5 years of optical design experience.
• At least 2 years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment.
• Experience with Fourier optics, flat-field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging.
• Experience designing high-numerical-aperture imaging systems.
• Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software.
• Expertise in design for manufacturing for precision optics.
• Fluency in optical drawing standards, including ISO 10110.
• Experience with lens tolerancing in ray-tracing software.
• Experience with STOP analysis.
• Experience with stray-light analysis.
• Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Creative and critical thinking, with the 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.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in Optical Sciences or Optical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test lens assemblies and systems for fiber collimation, laser delivery, and imaging systems.
• Research and develop novel lens and mirror systems for laser delivery and imaging systems.
• Analyze aberration correction, athermalization, and chromatic performance to balance competing system requirements.
• Evaluate design solutions through detailed tolerance and stray-light analysis.
• Develop alignment procedures for optical designs.
• Generate optical fabrication drawings and specifications, including to ISO 10110 standards, for custom lens components and assemblies.
• Collaborate with custom optics foundries and coating vendors to ensure design for manufacturability and oversee procurement of custom optical elements.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• 401(k) company matching.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Dependent care benefits.
• Life insurance.
• Drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in the offices every day.
• Annual bonus.
• Equity in the company.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior