Principal Optical Engineer (Quantum Computing)

Location: On-site in Boulder, Colorado, United States, four to five days per week

Base salary: $170,000–$200,000 annually, plus annual bonus and equity.

Company

hirify.global develops quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms.

What you will do

• Lead the design and specification of complex optical systems and subsystems from component to system level.
• Develop optical requirements and system architectures with physicists and subject matter experts for next-generation neutral-atom quantum computers.
• Establish optical design standards, conduct critical design reviews, and perform tolerance analysis and stray-light modeling.
• Define precision alignment procedures and oversee hands-on assembly and alignment of finalized optical designs.
• Develop optical components and devices with external vendors, managing designs and deliverables.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical writing, grant proposals, presentations, intellectual property, and customer engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of optical design experience and 7+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment.
• Experience taking a complex optical system from conception through productization.
• Expertise in high-numerical-aperture imaging systems, complex laser distribution networks, free-space and fiber optics, lasers, optical metrology, polarization, and detection.
• Proficiency with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software; experience with STOP analysis and 3D CAD tools such as Onshape or SolidWorks.
• Experience with high-power lasers, technical leadership, complex problem-solving, and mentoring engineering teams.

Nice to have

• Experience with neutral-atom quantum computing.
• Commercial product development and deployment at customer sites.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaboration with scientists, engineers, and business professionals advancing quantum computing.
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Unlimited paid time off, 401(k) company matching, disability insurance, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance.
• Daily drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in the offices.