At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineering, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.
We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Opto-Mechanical Engineering team to focus on designing the physical systems that house, protect, and connect our Control Systems and associated electronic products - from enclosures and chassis to thermal management and cabling. You'll work closely with electrical, firmware, and systems engineers to turn functional requirements into manufacturable, reliable hardware, primarily for 19" rack-mount and other pluggable instrumentation form factors.
This is a hands-on mechanical design role covering the full product lifecycle: concept, CAD modeling, analysis, prototyping, and production support.
This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Opto-Mechanical Engineering Manager.
Responsibilities
- Design enclosures, heat sinks, shields, cabling, chassis, and front panels for rack-mount and pluggable instrumentation products
- Create and maintain detailed CAD models, assemblies, and drawings
- Perform thermal and airflow analysis to ensure components stay within operating temperature limits under real-world conditions
- Designing in sheet metal, extrusions, and machined parts as well as rapid prototyping (3D printing and other quick turn methods)
- Assist with connector and cable analysis and design; assess board and front panel space requirements and density, cable routing and restrictions, etc
- Conduct tolerance studies (GD&T-based) to ensure fit, function, and manufacturability across assemblies
- Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate PCBs, power supplies, and wiring into mechanical packaging
- Support design reviews, prototyping, testing, and validation (thermal, structural, EMI/EMC as applicable)
- Work with manufacturing, suppliers, and operations to ensure designs transition smoothly from prototype to production
Experience & Education
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
- 5+ years of mechanical engineering design experience relatable to instrument design
Required Qualifications
- Proficiency with CAD and simulation tools; SolidWorks and Ansys (e.g., Icepak, Mechanical, Fluent) preferred, though familiarity with similar CAD/FEA/CFD tools will also be considered
- Experience working with mechanical fixtures for PCBs (supports, integration fixtures, multi-board design with FMC or other board-to-board mating interfaces, heat sinks, shields, connectors, etc)
- Solid understanding of thermal management for electronics: heat sink design, airflow/CFD analysis, and component-level cooling
- Mechanical drawing and GD&T per ASME Y14.5M, tolerance stack analysis
- Experience with sheet metal design, fabrication methods, and cable/harness design
- Ability to work cross-functionally with electrical and systems engineers to balance mechanical, thermal, and electrical constraints
- Robust packaging of sensitive systems for shipping or extreme environments
- Comfortable moving between early-stage concept work and detailed production-ready design
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with pluggable instrumentation standards such as MicroTCA, PXI, VPX, or similar and modular PCB form factors, such as FMC
- Experience with RF shielding, EMI/EMC design considerations
- Experience with electronics test fixture design
- Exposure to test & measurement or precision instrumentation products
- Experience supporting products through sustainment/value engineering after initial release
- Familiarity with PLM and PDM tools
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
- At least 5 years of mechanical engineering design experience related to instrument design
- Proficiency with CAD and simulation tools; SolidWorks and Ansys preferred
- Experience designing mechanical fixtures and integrations for PCBs, including supports, multi-board interfaces, heat sinks, shields, and connectors
- Strong understanding of electronics thermal management, heat sink design, airflow or CFD analysis, and component-level cooling
- Mechanical drawing and GD&T experience according to ASME Y14.5M
- Tolerance stack analysis experience
- Experience with sheet metal design and fabrication methods
- Cable and harness design experience
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with electrical and systems engineers
- Experience packaging sensitive systems for shipping or extreme environments
- Ability to develop early concepts through detailed production-ready designs
- Familiarity with pluggable instrumentation standards such as MicroTCA, PXI, VPX, or similar
- Familiarity with modular PCB form factors such as FMC
- Experience with RF shielding and EMI/EMC design considerations
- Experience designing electronics test fixtures
- Exposure to test and measurement or precision instrumentation products
- Experience supporting products through sustainment or value engineering after release
- Familiarity with PLM and PDM tools
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.
