Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer (Quantum Computing)

Infleqtion•Boulder, CO

About The Position

Infleqtion’s Quantum Computing Product Group is seeking a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer for its Hardware Engineering Team. The role is a senior design position responsible for realizing precision opto-mechanical subsystems that support scalable, high-performance quantum hardware. The engineer will serve as a technical authority for complex opto-mechanical and module-level decisions, working with physicists and cross-disciplinary engineering teams to translate experimental requirements into robust optical hardware that supports future scaling. The position combines detailed technical design with hands-on laboratory work. Responsibilities include owning opto-mechanical subsystems, designing and integrating precision components, producing stability and tolerance budgets, conducting simulations and experiments, and supporting the evolution of research-grade configurations into repeatable, maintainable, scalable hardware. The role also includes technical leadership, mentoring, and advancing design, laboratory, documentation, and version-control practices. Work is normally performed in an office and laboratory environment around technical equipment, including computers and lasers. Travel of up to 10% may be required. The position may require access to technology subject to U.S. export control laws; an employment offer may be conditioned on authorization to receive controlled software or technology without sponsorship for an export license.

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.
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 validate component selection.
Ability to sit, stand, bend, lift, and carry up to 40 pounds without assistance.
Ability to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers, and communicate via phone, computer, or in person.
Proper use of required personal protective equipment in accordance with company requirements.
For work involving export-controlled technology, authorization to receive the controlled software or technology without sponsorship for an export license may be required.

Nice To Haves

Background in atomic physics, quantum optics, or photonics research environments.
Experience in low-volume, high-complexity hardware programs with demanding performance requirements.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to bridge physics and engineering perspectives.
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

Own opto-mechanical subsystems within an established hardware architecture and identify technical risks, trade-offs, and long-term scalability constraints.
Design and integrate precision components and assemblies supporting lasers, optics, vacuum-integrated components, sensors, photodetectors, DMDs, SLMs, AODs, EOMs, metasurface-based optics, and photonic integrated circuits.
Use emerging optical technologies and contribute to their physical implementation in next-generation neutral-atom quantum computing architectures.
Generate stability, tolerance, and error budgets for opto-mechanical systems across environmental and operational conditions.
Collaborate with physicists and optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers throughout the experimental and hardware development lifecycle.
Advance design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly considerations early in the product lifecycle using data-driven methodologies.
Conduct model-based and hands-on root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and improvements to design and laboratory practices.
Use opto-mechanical simulations and experimental strategies to characterize optical stability, drift, noise sources, and scaling limits, including tolerance stack-ups, thermal behavior, structural stiffness, and vibration sensitivity.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship through design reviews and hands-on coaching.
Support the transition of opto-mechanical subsystems from research-grade configurations to repeatable, maintainable, scalable hardware suitable for increased atom counts.
Advance best practices for optical design workflows, laboratory procedures, documentation, and version control.
Travel up to 10% as required.