Senior Hardware Engineer: High Speed Mixed Signal Designer

Atom Computing•Austin, TX

8d•$140,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Atom Computing is seeking a hands-on Senior Hardware Engineer with high-speed mixed-signal design expertise to research, design, develop, and test custom instrumentation for quantum-computing control systems. The engineer will represent the Control Systems team and work closely with Quantum Engineering to integrate, deploy, and support this hardware in quantum computers. The role requires working in the office in Boulder or Austin at least three days per week to collaborate with theory, software, and hardware teams.

Requirements

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board-level analog and digital circuit design, preferably with Altium Designer.
Experience completing at least one full hardware design cycle, from concept development and schematic capture through PCB layout, fabrication, and initial board bring-up.
Mixed-signal design experience.
Working knowledge of PCB design best practices and keen attention to detail.
Proficiency with electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, and signal generators for prototype electronics bring-up and debugging.
Experience working on boards with complex ICs such as FPGAs and processors that require several power supplies, high-speed buses, and high-speed memory interfaces.
Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to work effectively in a fast-growing startup environment.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with experimental physicists and hardware and software engineers.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with RF design concepts and/or software-defined radio.
Experience designing and characterizing high-speed data-converter systems for low phase noise, low spurious content, and high linearity.
Experience with multi-gigabit serial transceiver lane design, evaluation, and equalization.
Experience with IBIS-AMI modeling and correlation for multi-gigabit serial interfaces.
Experience designing high-speed memory interfaces.
Experience with high-speed digital and analog I/O and connector and cable selection and characterization.
Scripting-language skills, such as Python, for basic data acquisition, instrument control, and automation of hardware testing and characterization.
Experience working in a Linux environment.
Familiarity with MicroTCA, PXIe, or similar pluggable instrument standards.

Responsibilities

Design high-level instrument system architectures, particularly analog and RF front ends, including signal conditioning and amplification, DAC and ADC selection, power and clocking schemes, and control and monitoring circuitry.
Own the research, simulation, prototyping, evaluation, and design of high-speed mixed-signal front ends for high-speed, high-resolution analog signals interfacing with lasers and actuators that control quantum computers.
Collaborate with software, quantum, laser, optical, and systems engineers to understand system needs, discuss solutions, and define hardware design requirements.
Design board-level circuits, capture schematics, and create PCB layouts in Altium Designer, working with a PCB layout designer.
Participate in control-system hardware bring-up, verification, and testing in collaboration with FPGA, firmware, and software engineers.

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 insurance.
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.