About this role
Job Responsibilities
- Initiate and lead the design and specification of complex, next-generation optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level
- Collaborate with technical leaders across engineering domains to understand key product use cases to inform next generation hardware development lifecycle
- Work with physicists and subject matter experts to develop requirements and system architecture for optical assemblies, subsystems, and modules to support next generation neutral atom computers
- Establish and enforce best practices for optical design, performing critical design reviews, detailed tolerance analysis, and advanced stray light modeling to ensure suitability of design solutions
- Define and standardize precision alignment procedures for all optical designs and subsystems, ensuring robust and repeatable assembly
- Provide high-level leadership and oversight for hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs
- Mentor junior team members and generate internal training documents and procedures
- Contribute as a subject matter expert to technical writing, grant proposals, and presentations
- Generate new intellectual property and inventions
- Develop complex optical components and devices with external vendors including managing the design process and defining deliverables
- External speaking and/or customer engagements
- Troubleshoot technical issues at Atom and off-site customer facilities
- Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds
Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field. Advanced degree a plus
- 10+ years optical design experience
- 7+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment
- Experience bringing a complex optical system from conception to productization
Qualifications
- Deep expertise and demonstrated leadership in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems and complex laser distribution networks
- Proven track record of driving complex technical initiatives from conception through deployment, and the ability to mentor and scale the engineering team's capabilities
- Proficiency with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software
- Experience with structural-thermal-optical-performance (STOP) analysis
- Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD
- Deep experience and knowledge of free-space optics, fiber optics, lasers, optical metrology/characterization, polarization, and detection
- Experience with high-power lasers and optical design toward high-power systems.
- Creative, critical thinker with ability to strategize and solve complex problems in a dynamic environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to teamwork
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with neutral atom quantum computing.
- Industry/Professional experience in commercial product development and deployment to a customer site.