We are seeking a Principal Subsystem Build & Test Engineer to lead the build, test, and delivery of optical, vacuum/mechanical, and electronic subsystems for neutral-atom quantum computers. As technical leadership you will be responsible for establishing the practices and procedures necessary to bring a first-of-a-kind development through repeatable production.
You are a role model and educate manufacturing org on best practices for engineers and technicians responsible for building and verifying electro-optical subsystems necessary to productionize our novel quantum computer. As part of Atom's new manufacturing organization, you'll shape the team's capabilities, build methods, and culture from the start, while staying directly involved in the hardware.
Responsibilities
- Lead the build, integration, and testing of optical, vacuum/mechanical, RF, electronic, and cable assemblies.
- Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians.
- Partner with Engineering on first-of-a-kind builds and translate designs into practical assembly and test methods.
- Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality to establish repeatable build processes, work instructions, fixtures, and test procedures.
- Provide hands-on technical direction for optical alignment, precision assembly, integration, and troubleshooting.
- Diagnose build and test failures and work with Engineering to identify design, process, material, or workmanship issues.
- Ensure required materials, documentation, qualified personnel, and calibrated equipment are available before builds begin.
- Maintain accurate build, inspection, and test records and release verified subsystems to System Integration & Test (SI&T).
- Track build progress, first-pass acceptance, rework, and cycle time and use repeat-build findings to improve processes and fixtures.
- Oversee approved subsystem measurements and acceptance tests, including optical characterization, electronic checkout, and applicable mechanical or vacuum verification.
- Collaborate with leadership to plan personnel, workspace, fixtures, and shared equipment across parallel build efforts.
Experience & Education
- BS in Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience. Advanced degree preferred.
- 8+ years of experience building, integrating, testing, or developing precision optical, scientific, or similarly complex hardware.
- 3+ years of experience mentoring engineers and technicians in an integration, manufacturing, or test environment.
Qualifications
- Extensive hands-on experience assembling, aligning, integrating, and testing precision optical systems.
- Experience working with electronic/RF, vacuum, mechanical, or electromechanical subsystems.
- Experience taking first-of-a-kind hardware through build, test, troubleshooting, and transition into repeatable production.
- Practical knowledge of optical assembly, alignment, cleanliness, bonding coordination, and the measurements used to verify precision optical subsystems.
- Working knowledge of electronic and RF assembly, chassis and cable checkout, and vacuum and mechanical build requirements.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to distinguish design issues from process, material, equipment, and workmanship problems.
- Experience working with released drawings, work instructions, inspection criteria, test procedures, calibrated equipment, and nonconformance processes.
- Desire to coach engineers and technicians and distinguish process problems from design issues.
- Experience with quantum computing, atomic physics, advanced photonics, aerospace, semiconductor, scientific instrumentation, or similarly complex hardware preferred.
- Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience
- Advanced degree
- 8+ years of experience building, integrating, testing, or developing precision optical, scientific, or similarly complex hardware
- 3+ years of experience mentoring engineers and technicians in an integration, manufacturing, or test environment
- Extensive hands-on experience assembling, aligning, integrating, and testing precision optical systems
- Experience with electronic/RF, vacuum, mechanical, or electromechanical subsystems
- Experience taking first-of-a-kind hardware through build, test, troubleshooting, and transition into repeatable production
- Practical knowledge of optical assembly, alignment, cleanliness, bonding coordination, and precision optical subsystem measurements
- Working knowledge of electronic and RF assembly, chassis and cable checkout, and vacuum and mechanical build requirements
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to distinguish design issues from process, material, equipment, and workmanship problems
- Experience with released drawings, work instructions, inspection criteria, test procedures, calibrated equipment, and nonconformance processes
- Ability and interest in coaching engineers and technicians
- Experience with quantum computing, atomic physics, advanced photonics, aerospace, semiconductor, scientific instrumentation, or similarly complex hardware
- Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds
Atom Computing Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Atom Computing and has not been reviewed or approved by Atom Computing.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare benefits include fully paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, plus life and disability protection. This is presented as a significant strength of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Unlimited paid time off is offered and highlighted in company materials and postings. This policy is intended to support work-life balance.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) company match is offered to support retirement planning. This adds meaningful long-term value alongside salary and health benefits.
Atom Computing Insights
What We Do
Scientific and technological breakthroughs take years of tireless work, fighting for resources and pushing for acceptance of new ideas. What keeps researchers and engineers plodding on to the next big discovery? It’s an obsession. A life’s calling. At Atom Computing, we’re our customers’ biggest fans on the journey of discovery. That’s why we’re obsessed with creating the world’s most scalable and reliable quantum computers—giving them the power to develop breakthroughs that change the world.
