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Infleqtion is commercializing atom-based quantum products for sensing and computing applications. Within the Quantum Computing Product Group's Hardware Engineering Team, this Senior Optical Engineer role focuses on designing, implementing, and validating complex optical subsystems for neutral-atom quantum computing platforms.
As an experienced individual contributor, you will work closely with physicists and cross-disciplinary engineering teams to translate experimental requirements into robust optical designs. The role is hands-on and laboratory-focused, with increasing responsibility for technical execution, problem-solving, and informal mentorship of developing engineers.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, modeling, and validating optical and laser-based subsystems for neutral-atom quantum computing platforms
- Integrating and testing scalable atom addressing and control technologies (DMDs, SLMs, AODs, EOMs, metasurface-based optics, fast multi-beam steering)
- Collaborating with physicists and optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers across the full experimental and hardware development lifecycle
- Leading hands-on laboratory efforts including optical assembly, precision alignment, debugging, and performance characterization of complex multi-channel optical systems
- Developing and maintaining high-fidelity optical models using Zemax (OpticStudio), including tolerance analysis, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization
- Executing transition of optical subsystems from research-grade to commercial-ready, repeatable, maintainable, and scalable hardware
- Providing technical guidance and informal mentorship to optical engineers through design reviews and hands-on coaching
- Establishing and improving best practices for optical design workflows, laboratory procedures, documentation, and version control
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or related field with 4+ years relevant experience (Master's or Ph.D. preferred). Strong foundation in geometrical, Fourier, and physical optics. Proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio), Python for automation and data analysis, and SolidWorks. Experience designing laser-based optics systems for microscopy, lithography, atomic physics, or quantum applications. Hands-on experience with SLMs, beam-delivery systems, imaging systems, and common optical components. Working knowledge of laboratory electronics and instrumentation. Precision optical alignment and experimental troubleshooting expertise. Git or version control experience required.
Highly valued: Experience with stability-sensitive optical systems, detail-oriented mindset with strong ownership, clear communication bridging physics and engineering, collaborative working style.
