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Vector Atomic

High-precision atomic clocks and inertial sensors

Staff Mechanical Engineer - Mechanical

Design EngineeringUpdated on Nov 13
Full-timePleasanton, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • At least 8 years of professional experience in Aerospace & Defense research and development or a similar field.
  • A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • At least 5 years of proficiency in computer-aided design, particularly SolidWorks.
  • Experience transitioning prototypes to small-batch production.
  • Comfort working in a laboratory environment.
  • Knowledge of design for manufacturing and design for assembly principles.
  • Familiarity with material science relevant to thermal and mechanical properties.
  • Understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing and tolerance analysis.
  • Proficiency in creating mechanical drawings in line with ANSI Y14.5 standards.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or qualifying refugee or asylee under U.S. export control laws.
  • Ability to work onsite full-time at the Pleasanton, California office.

Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the mechanical architecture of quantum systems by translating theoretical physics requirements into manufacturable engineering solutions and ensuring design scalability across the product roadmap.
  • Drive development of next-generation quantum hardware by establishing design standards and using advanced simulation, including finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics, to mitigate risks in novel component performance.
  • Lead systems-level integration of high-precision optomechanical and electromechanical assemblies, defining tolerance budgets and alignment strategies for quantum reliability.
  • Govern ultra-high-vacuum assembly and testing workflows by implementing standardized protocols and designing modular testbeds to accelerate validation for the engineering team.
  • Oversee the product lifecycle management strategy and cultivate vendor partnerships to reduce supply-chain risk for specialized materials.
  • Audit build documentation and test results, mentor junior engineers on best practices, and ensure custom hardware meets qualification benchmarks.

Desired Qualifications

  • An advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Experience with SolidWorks PDM.
  • Knowledge of finite element analysis focused on thermal and vibration analysis.
  • Experience packaging and assembling lasers and photonic devices.
  • Familiarity with system integration across various sub-disciplines.

About the Company

Vector Atomic

High-precision atomic clocks and inertial sensors

Vector Atomic builds high-performance quantum sensing devices for GPS-free timing and navigation, including optical atomic clocks, gyroscopes, gravimeters, and synchronization hardware for harsh environments on land, at sea, and in space. Its products use atomic transitions to provide picosecond-level timing and precise motion data, enabling secure navigation when GPS is unavailable. It differentiates itself through deep physics expertise, government contracting, and turning lab quantum devices into field-ready products, while remaining 100% employee-owned; it was acquired by IonQ to combine sensing with computing and networking. Its goal is to accelerate deployment of GPS-free navigation and secure quantum-enabled communication by integrating sensing with broader quantum platforms for government and commercial markets.

Company size
51-200
Company stage
Acquired
Total funding
$6.8M
Headquarters
Pleasanton, CA
Founded
2018

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