Optical Engineer - Lens Designer at Atom Computing (Boulder, CO)Optical Engineer - Lens Designer

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, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing. Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Engineer specializing in Lens Design to create custom, high-performance optical systems from the ground up. In this role, you will own the complete optical design lifecycle—from initial concept and ray-tracing to tolerancing, finalizing optical prescriptions, and working directly with fabrication vendors to bring custom lenses for our quantum computer to life.

Job Responsibilities

- Design, build, and test lens assemblies and systems for fiber collimation, laser delivery, imaging systems.

- Research and develop novel lens and mirror systems for laser delivery and imaging systems.

- Perform analysis on aberration correction, athermalization, and chromatic performance to balance competing system requirements

- Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis

- Develop alignment procedures for optical designs

- Generate rigorous optical fabrication drawings and specifications (e.g., ISO 10110 standards) for custom lens components and assemblies.

- Collaborate directly with custom optics foundries and coating vendors to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and oversee the procurement of custom optical elements.

- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or Optical Engineering, advanced degree a plus

- 5+ years optical design experience

- 2+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment

- Experience with Fourier Optics, flat field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging

- Experience in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems

- Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software

- Expertise in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for precision optics

- Fluency in optical drawing standards (ISO 10110).

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- Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software

- High attention-to-detail and accuracy

- Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment

- Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment

- Excellent communication, listening and people skills