The Role
Operate, test, and maintain cryogenic and RF systems for quantum processors. Assemble and validate electro-mechanical, vacuum, and RF assemblies, perform leak detection and pump service, execute validation tests, support installations and on-call cryogenics uptime, and develop SOPs and test plans.
Summary Generated by Built In
Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing problems. Our quantum computing technology has the potential to transform nearly every industry over the coming decades. As a public company with deep roots in research and engineering, we are expanding our Engineering Operations team to support rapid advances in quantum hardware.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Microwave and Cryogenics Test Engineer to join our Fremont, CA Engineering Operations team. This is a hands-on, operations-focused role in a highly collaborative, research-driven environment.
In this role, you will work closely with physicists, engineers, and technicians to assemble, test, and support advanced RF and cryogenic systems that enable next-generation quantum processors. You will be responsible for operating and maintaining cryogenic infrastructure, characterizing custom RF hardware, developing best practices, and troubleshooting complex systems that span RF, vacuum, cryogenics, and electronics.
The ideal candidate brings deep laboratory experience with R&D hardware and has contributed hands-on within interdisciplinary teams in industry, academia, or national labs.
What You'll Be Doing
- Test, validate, and debug custom RF control systems using advanced electronic test equipment such as network analyzers, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and internally developed tools
- Operate, troubleshoot, service, and maintain cryogenic and vacuum systems, including scroll pumps, turbo pumps, cryo compressors, high-vacuum components, and cold traps
- Perform helium leak detection, pump rebuilds, and thermal system management
- Assemble, validate, and install complex electro-mechanical, cryogenic, vacuum, and RF assemblies with exceptional attention to detail
- Contribute to test plan development and execute validation testing for next-generation RF hardware
- Participate in an on-call rotation to support cryogenic systems uptime
- Prepare, inspect, and package quantum chip assemblies for testing
- Follow established procedures and contribute to the creation and improvement of standard operating procedures and best practices
- Read and interpret CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering specifications
- Support external system installations and work directly with customers and partners (up to ~20% travel)
What You Bring
- Technical background in Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industrial or military experience (MS or PhD a plus)
- Strong proficiency with general-purpose electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, network analyzers, multimeters, DC power supplies, etc.)
- Substantial hands-on experience working with sub-Kelvin cryogenic systems
- Experience operating and maintaining high-availability laboratory or industrial equipment
- Experience assembling, servicing, and maintaining scientific instruments or complex electro-mechanical systems
- Familiarity with vacuum systems, vacuum plumbing, P&IDs, and standard fittings and practices
- Working knowledge of statistical methods for test and validation (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma, simulation)
- Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills
- Experience working with external vendors and partners
Nice to Have
- Hands-on experience with dilution refrigerators or similar ultra-low-temperature cryogenic systems
- Programming or scripting experience in Python or related languages
As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.
About Rigetti
Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.
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Export Licensing Compliance
Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Skills Required
- Technical background in Physics, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent industrial or military experience
- Strong proficiency with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, network analyzers, multimeters, DC power supplies)
- Substantial hands-on experience with sub-Kelvin cryogenic systems
- Experience operating and maintaining high-availability laboratory or industrial equipment
- Experience assembling, servicing, and maintaining scientific instruments or complex electro-mechanical systems
- Familiarity with vacuum systems, vacuum plumbing, P&IDs, and standard fittings and practices
- Working knowledge of statistical methods for test and validation (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma, simulation)
- Ability to read and interpret CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering specifications
- Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills
- Experience working with external vendors and partners
- MS or PhD in related field
- Hands-on experience with dilution refrigerators or similar ultra-low-temperature cryogenic systems
- Programming or scripting experience in Python or related languages
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The Company
What We Do
Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing and important problems. These systems will perform computations that today’s fastest supercomputers are incapable of — unlocking entirely new classes of problems and offering a direct path to solutions. We believe quantum computing is going to significantly affect health care, how we treat disease, how we generate energy, and how we feed humanity. Our superconducting quantum computing systems are available over the cloud via Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services. We were founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti. We are located in Berkeley and Fremont, California, and have employees based all over the world.
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