Principal Subsystem Build and Test Engineer at Atom Computing (Boulder, CO)
Atom Computing· Boulder, CO· $185k–$210k·
Role details
Salary
$185k–$210k
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full-Time
Level
Principal
Job description
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.
Why work at Atom Computing
- Culture: Described as collaborative and curiosity-driven — "explore the unconventional, experiment, and let curiosity be your guide"; team includes scientists, hardware/software engineers, and business professionals
- Work environment: Flexible working arrangements, catered in-office lunches, team gatherings, and a "come as you are" atmosphere
- Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare, life insurance, 401k matching, and unlimited paid time off
- Locations: Offices in attractive tech hubs — Berkeley, CA; Boulder, CO; and Austin, TX
- Engineering culture: Deep technical ownership across quantum engineering, control systems, and software; talent recruited from Rigetti Computing, Quantinuum, National Instruments, NIST, and top universities (Stanford, University of Colorado Boulder); alumni exit to Google, AWS, and U.C. Berkeley