Staff Mechanical Engineer - QSS

Staff Mechanical Engineer (QSS)

Infleqtion · Louisville, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-04

Salary: USD 175,000–200,000

Workplace: on_site

Department: Quantum Sensing Solutions

Description

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world's most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables “quantum everywhere” through our ecosystem of devices and platforms. 

Infleqtion is seeking a system-level mechanical engineer to design the infrastructure, mounting, and environmental-survivability architecture that allows our Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) to transition from the laboratory to both terrestrial and space environments. In this role, the candidate will work the structural mounting, damping, isolation, thermal interfaces, and mechanical integration needed for the QGG sensor head to survive launch, handling, transport, and pre-launch microgravity testing while preserving the precision required for quantum measurement. 

The role requires close collaboration with our prime customer(s), internal management, researchers, systems engineers, optical and electrical engineers, aerospace experts, manufacturing partners, suppliers, and external contractors. The individual will actively engage customers and partners throughout the program lifecycle, ensuring delivery against milestones and commitments while maintaining alignment with Infleqtion's product lifecycle and quality standards. Cross-disciplinary engagement is expected, with this role driving technical alignment across mechanical, optical, electrical, systems, and mission domains. 

Job Responsibilities 

Job Responsibilities 

The duties and responsibilities outlined below include essential functions of the role. Depending on business needs, this role may perform a combination or all of the following duties. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned. 

• Make disciplined trades among structural dynamics, thermal performance, optical alignment stability, magnetic cleanliness, mass, packaging, manufacturability, and quantum-sensor performance. 

• Apply engineering first-principles including load paths, constraints, stiffness, thermal expansion, tolerancing, materials, and design trade studies. 

• Execute and direct the modeling, simulation, analysis, and test-correlation efforts required to enable product performance, including structural, thermal, modal, vibration, shock, and tolerance analysis as appropriate. 

• Identify, qualify, and technically manage key suppliers for precision machined parts, opto-mechanical hardware, isolation/damping hardware, specialty materials, and manufacturing processes. 

• Develop and maintain mechanical risk-management and risk-resolution plans; support reliability analysis, nonconformance resolution, lessons learned, and continuous improvement. 

• Other duties as assigned or required

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree required in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. 

• 6+ years of relevant and progressive experience in precision mechanical, opto-mechanical, aerospace, or high-reliability hardware roles. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in SolidWorks CAD design tools, including parts, assemblies, drawings, and configuration control. 

• Excellent proficiency in first-principles mechanical engineering, including load paths, stiffness, thermal expansion, tolerancing, materials, and design trade studies. 
• Ability to travel domestically and (potentially) internationally up to 10% 

Desired Qualifications 

• Comfortable with a hands-on engineering-leadership approach, including time in the lab, supplier discussions, integration, and environmental test. 
• Experience with finite element analysis (Nastran preferred) for NASA missions

• Experience with thermal modelling for (Thermal Desktop preferred) for space payloads

• Advanced understanding of opto-mechanics, including free-space optical mounting, collimation, free-space and fiber-coupled alignment, flexures, and alignment/tolerance stability through build and environmental test. 

• Experience delivering advanced technologies to commercial, civil, defense, or space markets, ideally through formal design review and environmental verification. 

• Excellent technical leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to drive decisions across mechanical, optical, electrical, systems, and manufacturing teams. 
• Demonstrated tolerance analysis and tolerance-stack-up experience for precision assemblies. 

• Experience with materials selection for space, optical payloads, and ultra-high vacuum

• Experience in hardware DFx (design for cost, manufacturing, assembly, test, sustainment) and supplier technical management. 

• Familiarity with quantum sensing, atomic physics, precision optics/photonics, vacuum systems, or high-stability inertial/gravity instrumentation.

Benefits

• Salary Range: per year 175000-200000
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, including full-spectrum fertility support for growing families.
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account  
• Unlimited PTO  
• 401(k) match  
• Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance  
• Flexible Savings Account  
• Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave  
• Employee Assistance Program  
• Student Loan Repayment 
• Equity Program

Notice to Recruitment Agencies:

Infleqtion does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Infleqtion is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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