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 Senior Hardware Engineer to join our team to assist in the design, verification, and testing of custom electronic assemblies for the control system of our quantum computer. This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Control Systems Manager.
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Responsibilities
- Board-level circuit design, schematic capture, and PCB layout in Altium Designer of custom control system hardware.
- Prepare detailed technical specifications and design documentation and assist with reviewing schematics and layout of custom electronic designs.
- Actively participate in the bring-up, verification, and testing of control system hardware systems, collaborating closely with FPGA, firmware, and software engineers.
- Develop characterization, verification / validation, and automated test procedures and programs for various instruments that the team develops
- Assist in managing interactions with contract electronics manufacturers and suppliers for PCB design and assembly.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of design and testing processes within the hardware team.
Experience & Education
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- At least 5 years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board-level analog and digital circuit design, preferably with Altium Designer.
Qualifications
- Temperamentally suited to work at a fast-growing startup: self-motivated, humble, driven, collaborative, and with a high tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.
- Demonstrated proficiency with electronic test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum and logic analyzers, signal generators) for the bring-up and debug of prototype electronics assemblies.
- Experience in a full design cycle, from concept and schematic capture through to layout, fabrication, and initial board bring-up.
- Working knowledge of PCB design best practices and a keen attention to detail.
- Capable in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for basic data acquisition, instrument control, and automating hardware test and characterization.
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and driven to work effectively in a fast-growing, early-stage startup environment with a high tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse team of experimental physicists, hardware, and software engineers.
- Willingness to learn physics concepts to put work in context.
- Experience working on boards with complicated ICs (FPGAs, processors, etc) requiring several power supplies, high speed busses, and high speed memory interfaces
Nice to Haves
- Mixed signal instrument design experience
- RF front-end and high speed ADC/DAC design experience
- Familiarity with RF design concepts and/or software defined radio.
- Experience working in a Linux environment.
- Familiarity with the MicroTCA, PXIe, or similar pluggable instrument standards
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Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!
The base salary range for this position is between $140,000 - $160,000 annually, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The transition of quantum computing from laboratory-scale experiments to industrial-grade infrastructure necessitates a specialized tier of hardware engineering focused on the stabilization of high-fidelity control environments. Within the quantum value chain, the role of a Senior Hardware Engineer serves as the critical interface between the physical qubit modality and the digital control stack, where signal integrity directly dictates computational coherence. This structural necessity is driven by the increasing complexity of control electronics as the sector moves toward logical qubit scaling and 24/7 cloud availability. As industry market signals indicate a shift toward high-performance computing integration, the demand for specialized personnel capable of maintaining these sensitive electronic environments has become a primary determinant of operational uptime. This role ensures the continuous translation of deep-tech research into reliable commercial throughput by safeguarding the foundational hardware upon which system reliability depends. Workforce and infrastructure development remain priority areas across the value chain to address these emerging integration challenges.
The quantum hardware sector currently operates within a value chain that is heavily dependent on highly specialized control systems, specifically in the domains of precision photonics and high-speed electronic interconnects. Unlike traditional semiconductor operations, quantum control systems must mitigate complex environmental noise—including electromagnetic and thermal interference—to maintain the operational stability of atomic or superconducting circuits. The role of hardware engineering in this context is positioned within the systems integration and hardware layer of the ecosystem, acting as a prerequisite for both manufacturing yield and research reproducibility.
Macro-level analysis of the quantum workforce indicates that while significant attention is paid to PhD-level physicists, a critical bottleneck is emerging in the technical enablement tier. This shortage of specialized engineers capable of managing the intersection of custom PCB design and high-speed digital bus architecture poses a risk to the scalability of global quantum hubs. As firms move from prototype development to pilot production, the ability to manage these hardware dependencies without signal degradation becomes a strategic advantage.
Furthermore, the sector-wide trend toward hybrid classical-quantum platforms requires hardware to operate with the same level of reliability as high-performance computing centers while managing significantly more volatile technical constraints. Ongoing ecosystem initiatives aim to accelerate readiness for practical quantum applications, but these are fundamentally limited by the physical throughput of the control electronics. The stabilization of these systems is therefore not merely a maintenance function but a core component of the industry’s Technological Readiness Level (TRL) progression.
The capability architecture for this role type centers on the integration of traditional electrical engineering with specialized deep-tech infrastructure requirements. At the foundational layer, mastery of high-density PCB layout and schematic capture is required to manage the tight tolerances of quantum control environments. This is coupled with the technical interface for high-speed data acquisition and radio-frequency (RF) signal conditioning, which are essential for the operation of qubit manipulation units. These capabilities are critical for ensuring the structural throughput of quantum hardware development, as they directly influence the fidelity and stability of the control pulses required for qubit gates. Beyond mechanical design, the role facilitates a cross-functional coupling between hardware engineering and firmware protocols, ensuring that custom electronic assemblies remain compatible with evolving software stacks. By standardizing the design of these complex systems, engineers enable a level of operational reliability that allows research teams to focus exclusively on architectural breakthroughs rather than hardware failures.
Ensures the continuous operational integrity of the electronic control systems required for high-fidelity quantum processing.
Mitigates systemic risks associated with signal decoherence in neutral-atom and superconducting quantum hardware manufacturing.
Facilitates the transition from laboratory prototypes to standardized commercial-grade quantum computing facilities.
Reduces iteration friction by maintaining the reliability of mission-critical control and readout utilities.
Strengthens the uptime of cloud-accessible quantum platforms through proactive hardware monitoring and validation.
Harmonizes hardware operations with stringent industrial standards for high-speed digital and analog interfaces.
Optimizes the lifecycle of advanced technical assets including FPGA-based control stacks and precision RF sub-assemblies.
Supports the scaling of quantum processing unit manufacturing by stabilizing high-purity electronic production environments.
Shortens the time-to-market for new hardware iterations by ensuring electronic design readiness for system integration.
Improves the reliability of multi-jurisdictional research hubs through standardized PCB design and verification protocols.
Protects capital-intensive investments in quantum hardware by preventing electronic-related equipment failure.
Enables the deterministic progression of technology readiness levels through the stabilization of control system infrastructure.
Industry Tags: Quantum Hardware Engineering, Control System Design, Signal Integrity, PCB Layout, RF Engineering, Systems Integration, Deep Tech Manufacturing, FPGA Interfacing, Quantum Scalability
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