Optical Engineer
Atom Computing
Optical Engineer
Atom Computing
Quantum computing with neutral atom qubits
Salary Range: 150000 to 175000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)
At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.
Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Engineer specializing in Lens Design to create custom, high-performance optical systems from the ground up. In this role, you will own the complete optical design lifecycle—from initial concept and ray-tracing to tolerancing, finalizing optical prescriptions, and working directly with fabrication vendors to bring custom lenses for our quantum computer to life.
Design, build, and test lens assemblies and systems for fiber collimation, laser delivery, imaging systems.
Research and develop novel lens and mirror systems for laser delivery and imaging systems.
Perform analysis on aberration correction, athermalization, and chromatic performance to balance competing system requirements
Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis
Develop alignment procedures for optical designs
Generate rigorous optical fabrication drawings and specifications (e.g., ISO 10110 standards) for custom lens components and assemblies.
Collaborate directly with custom optics foundries and coating vendors to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and oversee the procurement of custom optical elements.
Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or Optical Engineering, advanced degree a plus
5+ years optical design experience
2+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment
Experience with Fourier Optics, flat field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging
Experience in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems
Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software
Expertise in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for precision optics
Fluency in optical drawing standards (ISO 10110).
Experience with lens tolerancing in ray-tracing software
Experience with STOP analysis
Experience with stray light analysis
Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software
High attention-to-detail and accuracy
Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment
Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment
Excellent communication, listening and people skills
Quantum computing with neutral atom qubits
Atom Computing builds quantum computers using neutral atom qubits, based in Berkeley. Its hardware relies on arrays of neutral atoms that act as qubits and can maintain quantum states for long periods, enabling complex calculations. The product works by trapping and manipulating these atoms with lasers and devices to perform quantum operations, with systems designed to scale to larger qubit counts while preserving coherence. The company differentiates itself by its focus on neutral-atom technology, which can offer long coherence times and scalable architectures, supported by collaborations, funding, and partnerships rather than relying solely on a single approach or software-only solutions. Its goal is to become a leader in quantum computing by delivering high-performance systems to universities, research groups, and tech companies, while continuing R&D and forming strategic partnerships to accelerate progress in the field.
Explore more opportunities at Atom Computing