Senior Optical Assembly & Alignment Engineer

Atom Computing • Boulder, CO, CO

2d • $170,000 - $200,000

About The Position

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. We are seeking an Senior Optical Assembly & Alignment Engineer to build and verify the optical breadboards and laser-delivery assemblies used in neutral-atom quantum computers. This bench-focused role establishes component placement, beam alignment, polarization, and optical performance at the subsystem level, delivering verified assemblies to the system integration team.

Requirements

• BS in optics, optical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of hands-on optical assembly, free-space alignment, fiber coupling, and characterization of precision laser or photonics hardware.
• Experience building from controlled optical layouts and recording repeatable measurements for subsystem acceptance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with neutral-atom quantum-computer optics, atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) laboratory systems, or precision scientific instrumentation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build optical breadboards from released layouts, drawings, bills of materials, and instructions; verify optic identity, coating orientation, mount placement, and assembly references.
• Install and align lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, polarization optics, and fiber-coupling assemblies to establish specified free-space beam paths, geometry, and subsystem interfaces.
• Measure throughput, power, beam profile, polarization, and coupling efficiency; use wavefront sensors or interferometers when required by the approved subsystem verification procedure.
• Diagnose beam clipping, optical loss, pointing drift, polarization errors, and mount-induced alignment changes; document the cause and perform only approved adjustment or rework.
• Establish pre-bond alignment and fixturing with Optical Bonding Technicians; compare alignment and optical measurements after curing before accepting the assembly.
• Inspect and clean optical surfaces using approved methods; protect sensitive coatings and maintain clean-handling and laser-safety practices through build, test, storage, and delivery.
• Combine optical-board assemblies into the assigned subsystem and execute approved verification steps; subsystem optical tests remain separate from later testing with atoms.
• Record component identifiers, revisions, alignment references, instrument identity, raw measurements, and completed steps in the subsystem traveler and release package.
• Capture first-of-a-kind alignment methods alongside Engineering; propose repeatable sequences, fixtures, and access improvements using measured rework and repeatability data.
• Deliver verified assemblies and alignment records to System Integration & Test; diagnose subsystem issues identified during integration while preserving the approved configuration.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• 401K company matching.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• FSA.
• Dependent care benefits.
• Life insurance.
• Drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!

What This Job Offers

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