Monarch Quantum

Designs and manufactures quantum photonic subsystems

Opto-Mechanical Engineer 2

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Diego, CA, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, ideally within a startup or technology company.
Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and drawing generation; SolidWorks is preferred, with demonstrated experience using Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5).
Familiarity with optomechanical mounting techniques, including kinematic mounts, flexures, adhesive bonding of optics or crystals, and glass-to-metal joints.
Exposure to fiber handling, fiber alignment mechanisms, or micro-electronic/photonic packaging considerations.
A solid understanding of Design for Manufacturability and Design for Assembly across precision CNC machining, sheet metal, and small-scale assembly.
Comfort working in an optical cleanroom or lab environment using hand tools, torque drivers, and optical alignment or measurement equipment.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), because the position requires access to export-controlled information.

Responsibilities

Design precision mechanical components and sub-assemblies for photonic systems, including optical isolators, fiber optic connectors, and micro-optic or crystal mounting solutions.
Design and build custom assembly tooling, alignment jigs, and fabrication stations for low-volume prototyping and high-volume production.
Perform tolerance stack-up analysis and thermal/stress evaluations using finite element analysis to maintain optical alignment across operating temperatures and mechanical strain.
Create, release, and maintain detailed 2D fabrication drawings that adhere to Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5) standards for CNC machining, precision molding, and sheet metal.
Build and maintain Bills of Materials, track engineering prototypes through procurement and fabrication, and manage component inventory for build cycles.
Process Engineering Change Orders and update CAD models and documentation based on design reviews, supplier feedback, or assembly findings.
Support cleanroom or lab-level assembly and alignment of delicate optical and mechanical sub-assemblies using adhesive bonding (UV/epoxy), soldering, or precision mechanical fasteners.
Assist senior engineers in investigating design or manufacturing non-conformances, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.

Desired Qualifications

Experience within a startup or technology company is ideal.
SolidWorks proficiency is preferred.

Opto-Mechanical Engineer 2

Monarch Quantum · San Diego, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-18

Salary: USD 85,000–125,000

Workplace: on_site

Department: Opto-Mechanical Engineering

Description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Opto-Mechanical Engineer 2. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

Design & Engineering

Photonic Component & Assembly Design: Design precision mechanical components and sub-assemblies for photonic systems, including optical isolators, fiber optic connectors, and micro-optic/crystal mounting solutions.
Precision Optomechanical Fixturing: Design and build custom assembly tooling, alignment jigs, and fabrication stations to support low-volume prototyping and high-volume production.
Tolerance & Thermal Analysis: Perform basic tolerance stack-up analysis and thermal/stress evaluations (FEA) to ensure optical alignment is maintained across operating temperatures and mechanical strain.

Production, Documentation & Material Tracking

Fabrication Drawings & Drafting: Create, release, and maintain detailed 2D fabrication drawings adhering to GD&T standards (ASME Y14.5) for CNC machining, precision molding, and sheet metal.
BOM & Material Tracking: Build and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs), track engineering prototypes through procurement and fabrication, and manage component inventory for build cycles.
Engineering Change Management: Process Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and update CAD models and documentation based on design reviews, supplier feedback, or assembly findings.

Prototype Testing & Lab Work

Hands-On Assembly & Integration: Support cleanroom or lab-level assembly and alignment of delicate optical and mechanical sub-assemblies using adhesive bonding (UV/epoxy), soldering, or precision mechanical fasteners.
Root Cause Analysis & Failure Mode Testing: Assist senior engineers in investigating design or manufacturing non-conformances, running root cause analysis (RCA), and implementing corrective actions.

Requirements

This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Physics, or a related field.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, ideally within a startup or technology company.

Skills:

CAD Expertise: Proficient in 3D CAD modeling and drawing generation (SolidWorks preferred) with demonstrated experience using GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
Optomechanical Design Basics: Familiarity with optomechanical mounting techniques (kinematic mounts, flexures, adhesive bonding of optics/crystals, glass-to-metal joints).
Fiber Optics & Micro-Packaging: Exposure to fiber handling, fiber alignment mechanisms, or micro-electronic/photonic packaging considerations.
DFM / DFA Awareness: Solid understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) across precision CNC machining, sheet metal, and small-scale assembly.
Hands-On Aptitude: Comfortable working in an optical cleanroom/lab environment using hand tools, torque drivers, and optical alignment or measurement equipment.

Benefits

The expected annual salary range for this position is $85,000-$125,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
13 paid company holidays
9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

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About the Company

Monarch Quantum

Designs and manufactures quantum photonic subsystems

Monarch Quantum designs and manufactures Quantum Light Engines, integrated photonic subsystems that replace large laser systems with compact, factory-aligned modules. These modules handle state preparation, cooling, trapping, manipulation, and coherent control to prepare and measure quantum states for computing, sensing, and communications. They operate with a vertically integrated model in San Diego, combining in-house systems engineering, hybrid optical packaging, robotic assembly, and AI-driven manufacturing to enable design-to-volume production under one roof, reducing size, complexity, and integration risk. The company differentiates itself by offering ready-to-integrate modular photonic subsystems for architectures such as trapped-ion, neutral-atom, and photonics-based platforms, targeting hardware developers, system integrators, and OEMs to streamline quantum hardware development and scaling.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Early VC
Total funding: $55M
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Founded: 2025

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