Senior Optical Engineer

Infleqtion•Boulder, CO

7h•$135,000 - $165,000•Onsite

About The Position

Within Infleqtion’s Quantum Computing Product Group, the Hardware Engineering Team is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to independently design, implement, and validate complex optical subsystems for neutral-atom quantum computing platforms. The successful candidate will serve as an experienced individual contributor, working closely with physicists and cross-disciplinary engineering teams to translate experimental requirements into robust optical designs. This role is hands-on and laboratory-focused, with increasing responsibility for technical execution, problem solving, and informal mentorship of developing engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or a related field with at least 4 years of relevant experience. A Master's degree or Ph.D. is preferred. Relevant graduate research (M.S. or Ph.D.) may be counted toward the experience requirement.
Strong foundation in geometrical, Fourier, and physical optics, including Gaussian beam propagation, thin-lens imaging, optical relays, telescopes/beam expanders, imaging systems, microscope optics, diffraction, polarization, and spatial filtering.
Proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio) for optical system design, sequential modeling, aberration analysis, PSF/MTF analysis, optimization and tolerancing.
Proficiency in Python for Zemax automation and data analysis.
Working knowledge of SolidWorks sufficient to collaborate on opto-mechanical layouts and design reviews.
Experience designing, modeling, and validating laser-based optics systems for microscopy, lithography, atomic physics, or quantum applications.
Experience with spatial light modulators (SLMs), including optical setup, calibration, beam shaping or pattern generation, and integration into laser-based or quantum optics systems.
Experience designing and analyzing beam-delivery and imaging systems, including Gaussian beam and fiber mode-field modeling, fiber coupling, apodization, point-spread-function analysis, modulation-transfer-function analysis, Fourier optics, and 4-f optical systems.
Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting common optical components and modulators, including filters, optical fibers, polarizers, waveplates, diffraction gratings, AOMs/AODs, EOMs, and SLMs.
Working knowledge of laboratory electronics and instrumentation used in optical experiments, including photodetectors, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, amplifiers, and electronic filters.
Hands-on laboratory expertise in precision optical alignment and experimental troubleshooting.
Experience using Git or similar version control systems for design artifacts, scripts, or analysis tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with stability-sensitive optical systems subject to thermal, vibrational, or long-term drift effects.
A hands-on, detail-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and technical accountability.
Clear verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to bridge physics and engineering perspectives.
Positive, collaborative working style and enthusiasm for mentoring and developing engineers.

Responsibilities

Designing, modeling, and validating of optical and laser-based subsystems for neutral-atom quantum computing platforms.
Integrating and testing scalable atom addressing and control technologies. This includes but is not limited to digital micromirror devices (DMDs), spatial light modulators (SLMs), acousto-optic deflectors (AODs), electro-optic modulators (EOMs), metasurface-based optics, and fast multi-beam steering architectures.
Collaborating closely with physicists and optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers to support the full experimental and hardware development lifecycle, from early research demonstrations to integrated, scalable systems.
Leading hands-on laboratory efforts, including optical assembly, precision alignment, debugging, and performance characterization of complex, multi-channel optical systems.
Developing and maintaining high-fidelity optical models using Zemax (OpticStudio), including tolerance analysis, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization informed by experimental data and system-level requirements.
Executing on the transition within a defined architecture of optical subsystems from research-grade configurations to commercial ready, repeatable, maintainable, and scalable hardware.
Providing technical guidance, and informal mentorship to optical engineers through design reviews, and hands-on coaching.
Establishing and improving best practices for optical design workflows, laboratory procedures, documentation, and version control.