Atom Computing

Quantum computing with neutral atom qubits

Principal Manufacturing Quality Engineer

Quality EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBoulder, CO, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science in manufacturing, mechanical, optical, or electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant technical experience.
At least 10 years in manufacturing or process engineering for precision optical, electromechanical, or scientific equipment, including at least 3 years managing technical teams.
Demonstrated experience taking engineering prototypes into repeat production through process qualification, fixture development, design for X (DfX), and controlled documentation.
Experience overseeing quality and corrective-action activities.
Strong design-for-X judgment for precision optomechanical and electronic hardware, including tolerances, alignment sensitivity, contamination control, and service access.
Working knowledge of optical bonding and alignment, vacuum/mechanical assembly, and electronic production methods.
Experience qualifying manufacturing processes, fixtures, measurement methods, and operators for repeatable technical production.
Knowledge of first-article inspection, calibration, nonconformance control, root-cause analysis, and effective corrective action.
Ability to influence design decisions using build data and lead technical teams while keeping process ownership distinct from production execution.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing and process engineering, quality, reliability, and machining support; set priorities based on build readiness, technical risks, and recurring production issues.
Drive design-for-X reviews of optical, electronic, and vacuum/mechanical hardware to improve assembly, alignment, inspection, and service access.
Develop and qualify controlled optical cleaning, bonding, precision assembly, and electronic build/test methods with Engineering and production teams.
Design and qualify assembly, alignment, bonding, and inspection fixtures; direct machining and tooling support for approved manufacturing needs.
Capture first-of-a-kind learning in work instructions and training, with controlled revisions and qualification of affected personnel before new methods enter production.
Collaborate with the Manufacturing Quality team to establish inspection, calibration, nonconformance, corrective-action, and release processes.
Lead root-cause analysis of assembly defects, alignment rework, and test failures; use findings to improve processes and maintainability.
Demonstrate shorter build cycles through simpler assembly, better fixtures, and reduced rework; monitor process readiness, first-pass results, and corrective-action effectiveness.
Build the manufacturing engineering and quality team for the new manufacturing organization and shape designs, processes, and tooling to improve quantum-hardware assembly, alignment, testing, and serviceability.

Desired Qualifications

An advanced degree.
Quantum-hardware, photonics, or atomic-instrument manufacturing experience.

Salary Range: 170000 to 200000 (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.

We are seeking a Principal Manufacturing Quality Engineer to establish the processes, tooling, and quality controls needed for repeatable neutral-atom quantum-computer builds. This role leads design for manufacturability, assembly, test, and serviceability (DfX), while subsystem and system integration teams own build execution.

Build the manufacturing engineering and quality team for Atom's new manufacturing organization. You'll help shape designs, processes, and tooling from the start, with the opportunity to see your improvements make quantum hardware easier to assemble, align, test, and service.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing and process engineering, quality, reliability, and machining support; set priorities based on build readiness, technical risks, and recurring production issues.
Drive DfX reviews of optical, electronic, and vacuum/mechanical hardware to improve assembly, alignment, inspection, and service access.
Develop and qualify controlled optical cleaning, bonding, precision assembly, and electronic build/test methods with Engineering and the production teams.
Design and qualify assembly, alignment, bonding, and inspection fixtures; direct machining and tooling support for approved manufacturing needs.
Capture first-of-a-kind learning in work instructions and training, with controlled revisions and qualification of affected personnel before new methods enter production.
Collaborate with Manufacturing Quality team to establish inspection, calibration, nonconformance, corrective-action, and release
Lead root-cause analysis of assembly defects, alignment rework, and test failures; use the findings to improve processes and maintainability.
Demonstrate shorter build cycles through simpler assembly, better fixtures, and reduced rework; monitor process readiness, first-pass results, and corrective-action effectiveness.

Experience & Education

BS in manufacturing, mechanical, optical, or electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant technical experience; advanced degree preferred.

10+ years in manufacturing or process engineering for precision optical, electromechanical, or scientific equipment, including 3+ years managing technical teams.

Demonstrated experience taking engineering prototypes into repeat production through process qualification, fixture development, DfX, and controlled documentation.

Experience overseeing quality and corrective-action activities; quantum-hardware, photonics, or atomic-instrument manufacturing experience preferred.

Qualifications

Strong DfX judgment for precision optomechanical and electronic hardware, including tolerances, alignment sensitivity, contamination control, and service access.

Working knowledge of optical bonding and alignment, vacuum/mechanical assembly, and electronic production methods.

Experience qualifying manufacturing processes, fixtures, measurement methods, and operators for repeatable technical production.

Knowledge of first-article inspection, calibration, nonconformance control, root-cause analysis, and effective corrective action.

Ability to influence design decisions using build data and lead technical teams while keeping process ownership distinct from production execution.

Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!

The base salary range for this position is between $170,000 - $200,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

About the Company

Atom Computing

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.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Series C
Total funding: $301.2M
Headquarters: Berkeley, CA
Founded: 2018

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