Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Skip to job details
AC
Atom Computing
Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Career Insights for Optical / Laser Engineer
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on California data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
An Optical or Laser Engineer researches and develops technology that uses the science of light (optics). Optical technology includes fiber optic cables, which enable high-speed internet connections across long distances, and lasers, which can be used to make very small incisions and measurements. Works closely with scientists and engineers from other fields on advances in technology.
$143,629 / year median in California
-3% projected decline
Job Description
Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Atom Computing Other Engineering Boulder, CO, USA USD 160k-185k / year + Equity Posted on Jul 7, 2026 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 a Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems, while also assisting with fixturing, assembly, alignment, test, and integration. Job Responsibilities
Initiate and lead the design and specification of complex, next-generation opto-mechanical systems, ultra-high vacuum chambers, and mechanical infrastructure from the component level up to the system level.
Collaborate with technical leaders across engineering domains to define product requirements and inform the next-generation hardware development lifecycle.
Partner with physicists and subject matter experts to architect robust mechanical solutions for optical assemblies, ensuring high-precision stability, thermal performance, and alignment integrity.
Establish and enforce rigorous design standards and best practices for opto-mechanical engineering, including leading critical design reviews, performing advanced tolerance analysis, and driving Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) to ensure scalability.
Provide high-level technical leadership and oversight for the hands-on assembly, alignment, and system integration of critical opto-mechanical designs.
Mentor junior team members, generate internal training documentation, and drive technical growth and standardization within the engineering organization.
Participate in long-term technical program planning, including contributing to roadmap development and resource assessments to ensure alignment with company goals.
Contribute as a subject matter expert to technical documentation, grant proposals, and IP generation (patents and inventions).
Oversee external vendor relationships for complex component development, managing the design process and defining key deliverables.
Troubleshoot complex technical issues across the product lifecycle, both at Atom and off-site customer facilities.
Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
Experience & Education
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, advanced degree is a plus
10+ years opto-mechanical design experience
8+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment
Qualifications
Deep expertise and demonstrated leadership in the design and build of complex opto-mechanical systems
Proven track record of driving complex technical initiatives from conception through deployment, and the ability to mentor and scale the engineering team's capabilities
Mastery of SolidWorks, PDM, or equivalent design and data management software
Strong background with FEA (meshing, modal analysis, thermal analysis, etc.) and corresponding first order analysis
Deep understanding of material science related to adhesives in an optical environment
Ability to own and mentor team members in DFMA, tolerancing, drawings to ASME Y14.5M and