Staff Engineer - Mechanical

Vector Atomic•Pleasanton, CA

1d•$142,113 - $177,203•Onsite

About The Position

As a Staff Mechanical Engineer at Vector Atomic, you will be instrumental in advancing the next generation of quantum technologies. This hands-on role involves designing opto-mechanical and vacuum systems that are crucial for quantum sensors, with a strong focus on personal responsibility and teamwork.

Requirements

8+ years of professional experience in Aerospace & Defense R&D or similar field.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
To comply with the US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.
Comfortable working in a lab environment.
Effective communication skills for collaboration and documentation.
Keen attention to detail in all engineering tasks.
Experience transitioning prototypes to small-batch production.
5+ years in CAD design proficiency, particularly in SolidWorks.
Knowledge of design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
Familiarity with material science relative to thermal and mechanical properties.
Understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
Proficient in creating mechanical drawings in line with ANSI Y14.5 standards.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
Experience with SolidWorks PDM.
Knowledge of FEA with a focus on thermal and vibration analysis.
Experience in packaging and assembly of lasers and photonic devices.
Familiarity with system integration across various sub-disciplines.

Responsibilities

Spearhead the mechanical architecture of quantum systems by bridging the gap between theoretical physics requirements and manufacturable engineering solutions, ensuring design scalability across the product roadmap.
Drive the development of next-generation quantum hardware by establishing rigorous design standards and utilizing advanced simulation (FEA/CFD) to mitigate risks in novel component performance.
Lead the systems-level integration of high-precision optomechanical and electromechanical assemblies, defining the tolerance budgets and alignment strategies necessary for enterprise-grade quantum reliability.
Govern UHV assembly and testing workflows by implementing standardized ultra-high vacuum protocols and designing modular testbeds that accelerate the validation cycle for the entire engineering team.
Optimize the engineering ecosystem by overseeing the PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) strategy and cultivating strategic vendor partnerships to de-risk the supply chain for specialized materials.
Champion technical excellence by auditing build documentation and testing results, mentoring junior engineers on best practices, and ensuring all custom hardware meets stringent qualification benchmarks.