Atom Computing

Quantum computing with neutral atom qubits

Laser Engineer

Electrical EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBoulder, CO, USA$120k - $150k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Physics, Optics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field is required.
At least 2 years of experience using and maintaining optical, opto-mechanical, and/or laser systems is required; advanced-degree experience is inclusive.
Hands-on experience aligning optical elements according to documented designs is required.
Experience with diode- and fiber-based lasers and amplifiers, nonlinear optical materials, and characterization, phase-locking, optimization, design, and modeling of laser and nonlinear optical systems is required.
Experience taking, plotting, analyzing, fitting, and interpreting data from optical testing experiments is required.
Experience with engineering change documentation and the ability to work from assembly drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, sketches, and other written, visual, and oral instructions are required.
Familiarity with Python and Git software version control is preferred.
Familiarity with Zemax, Onshape, and/or SolidWorks/CAD for designing optical and optomechanical systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

Align, tune, and troubleshoot optical and laser systems, including diode- and fiber-based lasers and amplifiers and nonlinear optical systems, to keep quantum computing hardware reliable.
Characterize, phase-lock, and optimize laser and nonlinear optical systems to improve performance and stability.
Design and model nonlinear optical and laser/amplifier systems for new hardware builds and system upgrades.
Provide technical expertise to laser and optical projects across the team to maximize performance and robustness.
Take, plot, analyze, fit, and interpret data from optical testing experiments to guide design and troubleshooting decisions.
Gather project requirements from stakeholders, turn them into action plans, and keep the team on schedule through prioritization.
Create and maintain engineering change documentation; work from assembly drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and other written, visual, and oral instructions.
Collaborate day-to-day with experimental physicists, hardware engineers, and software engineers to integrate laser systems into the broader quantum computing platform.
Report progress, risks, and technical findings to the Laser Engineering Manager, and contribute to the team's roadmap for scaling laser systems.

Desired Qualifications

Familiarity with Python and Git software version control.
Familiarity with Zemax, Onshape, and/or SolidWorks/CAD for designing optical and optomechanical systems.

Salary Range: 120000 to 150000 (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 Laser Engineer to join our Quantum Engineering Department. Our neutral-atom quantum computers depend on a growing network of precision laser and optical systems that need to run reliably around the clock. In this role, you'll work hands-on with that hardware: aligning, characterizing, and optimizing systems on the bench, then turning that work into documented, repeatable designs the team can build on. You'll partner closely with experimental physicists, hardware engineers, and software engineers, and your work will directly shape how reliably our quantum computers run day to day.

Job Responsibilities

Align, tune, and troubleshoot optical and laser systems — including diode- and fiber-based lasers/amplifiers and nonlinear optical systems — to keep quantum computing hardware running reliably

Characterize, phase-lock, and optimize laser and nonlinear optical systems to improve performance and stability

Design and model nonlinear optical and laser/amplifier systems for new hardware builds and system upgrades

Provide technical expertise to laser and optical projects across the team, with the goal of maximizing performance and robustness

Take, plot, analyze, fit, and interpret data from optical testing experiments to guide design and troubleshooting decisions

Gather project requirements from stakeholders, turn them into action plans, and keep the team on schedule with proper prioritization

Create and maintain engineering change documentation; work from assembly drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and other written, visual, and oral instructions

Collaborate day-to-day with experimental physicists, hardware engineers, and software engineers to integrate laser systems into the broader quantum computing platform

Report progress, risks, and technical findings to the Laser Engineering Manager, and contribute to the team's roadmap for scaling laser systems

Experience & Education

Bachelor's degree in Physics, Optics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field

Minimum 2+ years of experience (advanced degree inclusive) using and maintaining optical, opto-mechanical, and/or laser systems

Required Qualifications

Temperamentally suited to work at a fast-growing startup: self-motivated, humble, driven, collaborative, and comfortable with ambiguity

Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse team of experimental physicists, hardware engineers, and software engineers

Hands-on experience aligning optical elements in accordance with documented designs

Experience with current state-of-the-art lasers/amplifiers (e.g., diode and fiber-based) and nonlinear optical materials, including characterization, phase-locking, and optimization of laser and nonlinear optical systems, plus design and modeling experience for nonlinear optical and laser/amplifier systems

Experience with data analysis: taking, plotting, analyzing, fitting, and interpreting data from optical testing experiments

Experience with engineering change documentation; ability to work from assembly drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, sketches, and other written, visual, and oral instructions

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with Python and Git software version control

Familiarity with Zemax, Onshape, and/or SolidWorks/CAD for designing optical and optomechanical systems

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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