Laser Engineer - Manufacturing (Quantum Computing)

Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States; on-site

Base salary: $120,000–$150,000 per year, plus annual bonus and equity.

Company

Develops quantum computers based on arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms.

What you will do

• Install, align, commission, integrate, and stabilize laser sources, amplifiers, and associated hardware for neutral-atom quantum computers.
• Verify optical, electrical, cooling, and control interfaces, including frequency and intensity lock acquisition, stability, and recovery.
• Measure optical power, frequency stability, linewidth, noise, beam quality, and polarization against laser acceptance and SI&T handoff criteria.
• Diagnose lock loss, power drift, coupling degradation, thermal sensitivity, and interface faults with Laser Engineering, controls, and subsystem teams.
• Develop acceptance tests, setup and alignment instructions, calibration and maintenance procedures, and practical test automation with Manufacturing Engineering.
• Maintain configuration, calibration, serial-number, and test records; document non-conformances and corrective actions; support QE testing and coordinate supplier repairs.

Requirements

• BS in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience commissioning, stabilizing, characterizing, and troubleshooting precision laser systems.
• Practical experience with laser frequency or intensity stabilization, feedback control, and fault diagnosis.
• Hands-on experience with free-space alignment, polarization control, fiber coupling, and precision optical components.
• Proficiency with wavemeters, photodiodes, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, and optical or RF spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to interpret optical layouts, electrical schematics, control interfaces, and test data, with careful documentation and clear communication with engineers, physicists, and technicians.
• Ability to follow laser-safety, interlock, and contamination-control practices.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree.
• Experience transferring precision optical or scientific hardware from development into repeat builds.
• Experience with diode or fiber lasers, optical amplifiers, nonlinear frequency conversion, or atomic, molecular, and optical or neutral-atom hardware.
• Python or equivalent tools for instrument control and data analysis.

Culture & Benefits

• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Unlimited paid time off, 401(k) company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance.
• Drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches at the offices.
• Annual bonus and equity in addition to base salary.