Sr. Mechanical Engineer, US

Mesa Quantum Systems • Boulder, CO

11d

About The Position

Mesa Quantum is seeking a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical and thermal design for its chip-scale atomic clock, from physics package and electronics integration through enclosure and production. The role focuses on reducing size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) while maintaining stability and reliability in demanding environmental conditions. The engineer will model, build, and test prototypes and work with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners to transition designs into production. The team is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience, or MS/PhD with 5+ years.
• Advanced SolidWorks or Creo skills, including production drawings and GD&T.
• Experience with thermal and structural FEA using tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, or SolidWorks Simulation, validated against test data.
• Hands-on experience with thermal management, precision hardware, and ruggedization for shock and vibration.
• Experience designing small hardware from prototype through production, including vacuum or hermetic packaging and leak testing.
• Ability to build and test prototypes, document designs clearly, and work directly with machine shops, vendors, and contract manufacturers.
• Applicants must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents) due to U.S. Department of Defense funding requirements.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required for certain projects.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with atomic clocks, quantum sensors, magnetometers, or atomic interferometers.
• Rugged electronics for defense, aerospace, or space applications, including environmental qualification.
• Low-power thermal design, vacuum insulation, or low-emissivity coatings.
• MEMS or microelectronics packaging, magnetic shielding, laser or photonics packaging, and optical alignment.
• Experience with electronics cooling tools, ECAD/MCAD collaboration, PLM systems, or early-stage hardware companies.

Responsibilities

• Own system-level mechanical architecture, CAD design, drawings, prototypes, and production release.
• Manage mass, volume, and power budgets, and conduct trade studies to reduce SWaP-C without compromising clock stability.
• Develop thermal designs and models for the vapor cell, laser, and electronics, and correlate predictions with test data.
• Design for shock, vibration, and thermal cycling; plan and execute environmental tests and implement improvements.
• Develop vacuum or hermetic packaging, magnetic shielding, and precision alignment for optics and other sensitive components.
• Drive design for manufacturing and assembly, supplier collaboration, assembly documentation, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with physics, photonics, electrical, firmware, and manufacturing teams on current and next-generation clock designs.
• Build and test prototypes, document designs, and work directly with machine shops, vendors, and contract manufacturers.

Benefits

• Base salary of $140,000 to $195,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Meaningful equity and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to own critical product design at the intersection of quantum technology, photonics, and advanced engineering.
• Collaborative team with expertise in AMO physics, RF, photonics, and microfabrication.

What This Job Offers

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