Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer (Quantum Computing)

Infleqtion•Louisville, CO

3h•$155,000 - $185,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Infleqtion, we are at the forefront of solving complex global challenges through advanced quantum technology. Our core mission is to bring atom-based quantum products to market, revolutionizing sensing and computing capabilities. We are committed to leading the quantum ecosystem towards significant advancements and shaping the future technological landscape. Within Infleqtion’s Quantum Computing Product Group, the Hardware Engineering Team is seeking a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer. This role is pivotal for the design and realization of high-precision opto-mechanical subsystems essential for scalable, high-performance quantum hardware. The successful candidate will serve as a technical authority on intricate opto-mechanical decisions at the module level. They will collaborate closely with physicists and diverse engineering teams to transform experimental requirements into robust, high-performance optical hardware, paving the way for future scalability. This position demands significant technical design expertise and hands-on laboratory contributions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field with at least 5 years of relevant industry experience. A Master’s degree or PhD may substitute for some experience.
Extensive ownership-driven experience designing, modeling, and validating laser-based opto-mechanical systems for high-performance hardware backed by a strong hands-on laboratory track record.
Proficiency with SolidWorks for complex scalable system design and analysis.
Working knowledge of Zemax (OpticsStudio) sufficient to collaborate on optical layouts and component selection validation.

Nice To Haves

Background in atomic physics, quantum optics, or photonics research environments.
Experience in low-volume, high-complexity hardware programs with demanding performance.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to bridge physics and engineering perspectives.
A hands-on, detail-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and technical accountability.
Positive, collaborative working style and enthusiasm for mentoring and developing engineers.

Responsibilities

Owning opto-mechanical subsystems within an established hardware architecture and identifying technical risks, trade-offs, and long-term scalability constraints.
Executing on defined mechanical design and integration of precision components and assemblies supporting lasers, optics, vacuum-integrated components, state-of-the-art sensors (SPAD, EMCCD, sCMOS), high-speed photodetectors, DMDs, SLMs, AODs, EOMs, metasurface-based optics, and photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Using emerging optical technologies from academia and industry and contributing to their physical implementation within Infleqtion’s next-generation neutral-atom quantum computing architectures.
Generating stability, tolerance, and error budgets for opto-mechanical systems to ensure performance across environmental and operational conditions.
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 through integrated, scalable, multi-generation systems.
Advancing design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly considerations early in the product lifecycle using data-driven methodologies, including model-based and hands-on root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and improved design and laboratory practices.
Using high-fidelity opto-mechanical simulations and executing on experimental strategies to characterize optical stability, drift, noise sources, and scaling limits, ranging from back-of-the-envelope calculations to detailed finite element analysis (FEA) encompassing tolerance stack-ups, thermal behavior, structural stiffness, and vibration sensitivity.
Providing technical leadership and mentorship support to developing opto-mechanical engineers through design reviews and hands-on coaching.
Supporting the transition of opto-mechanical subsystems from research-grade configurations to repeatable, maintainable, and scalable hardware suitable for increased atom counts.
Advancing current best practices for optical design workflows, laboratory procedures, documentation, and version control.