We are seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer in our Broomfield, CO location to apply their skills to the development of our next generation large-scale quantum computers. In this role, you will own the mechanical design of a precision quantum hardware subsystem that physically houses the core of our ion trap quantum computer. This subsystem integrates an ultra-high vacuum chamber, ion trap hardware, precision beam delivery and detection optics, electrical control components, and associated structural, thermal, and alignment features. The work spans early-stage architecture, detailed opto mechanical design, tolerance and stability analysis, hands on prototyping, and iteration alongside physicists, electrical engineers, and systems engineers.
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Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the mechanical development and deployment of precision, multi-functional, quantum hardware assemblies from early concepts to detailed design to final procurement for next-generation trapped-ion quantum computers.
- Design mechanical interfaces, mounting structures, and housing modules for complex optical, electrical, cryogenic, and vacuum subsystems.
- Design precision environmental control systems.
- Work with subsystem leads and systems engineers to maintain thorough interface control documents (ICDs).
- Derive detailed mechanical subsystem and component requirements from higher-level requirements.
- Maintain thorough, version-controlled CAD models and BOMs.
- Partner with lab validation & integration teams to build and test prototype assemblies.
- Complete FEM models to predict the structural, electrical, thermal, magnetic, and acoustic performance of complex subsystem assemblies.
- Partners with quantum physicists and subsystem leads to optimize optical, electrical, cryogenic, and vacuum subsystem designs.
- Partner with manufacturing team leads to optimize the lead time, SWAP-C, and uptime of subsystems.
- Communicate findings and design proposals to larger technical, management, and executive teams.
- Mentor junior engineers.
YOU MUST HAVE:
- Bachelor’s degree minimum
- 5+ years of experience involving one or more of the following areas: cryogenic system design, vacuum systems, thermal modeling, qubits, atomic physics, spectroscopy, optics, electronics, or laboratory work in the physical sciences preferred.
- Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People's Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.
- Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person. defined as, U.S. citizen permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status
WE VALUE:
- 8+ years’ experience in scientific research and development, engineering, or leadership roles
- Experience leading a team in designing or operating cryogenic and/or XHV systems.
- Strong organizational and leadership skills, and experience in working with customers and partners.
- Experience with Onshape, Comsol, and Ansys tools.
- Experience in magnetic field simulation and magnetic coil design.
- Experience performing simulation and modeling to inform experiments.
- Experience with control systems for data collection, signal processing, and analysis.
- Experience with electrical and fiber optic feedthroughs.
- Experience with extreme-high vacuum environments.
- Experience with trapped ions and ion transport.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with published results within their field of research.
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$152,000 - $190,000 a year
Compensation & Benefits:
Incentive Eligible – Range posted is inclusive of bonus target
The pay range for this role is $152,000 – $190,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate’s skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.
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Quantinuum is the world leader in quantum computing. The company’s quantum systems deliver the highest performance across all industry benchmarks. Quantinuum’s over 650 employees, including 400+ scientists and engineers, across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, are driving the quantum computing revolution.
By uniting best-in-class software with high-fidelity hardware, our integrated full-stack approach is accelerating the path to practical quantum computing and scaling its impact across multiple industries.
By joining Quantinuum, you’ll be at the forefront of this transformative revolution, shaping the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible.
What’s in it for you?
A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work
Flexible work schedule
Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit
Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time
Paid parental leave
Employee discounts
Quantinuum is an equal opportunity employer. You will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status. Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The industrialization of trapped-ion quantum computing requires a shift from laboratory assemblies to robust, integrated hardware systems capable of sustaining operational fidelity at scale. Mechanical engineering serves as the foundational enabler for this transition, bridging the gap between theoretical physics and manufacturable commercial infrastructure. By architecting the physical environments—specifically ultra-high vacuum and precision opto-mechanical interfaces—this role mitigates the environmental decoherence that currently limits quantum volume. Current market signals indicate that structural stability and thermal management are the primary bottlenecks to achieving Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC). Consequently, the integration of complex subsystems into a singular, reliable hardware chassis is a prerequisite for ecosystem-level technological readiness. This engineering discipline ensures that advancements in qubit control can be successfully translated into field-deployable assets.
The quantum hardware landscape is currently navigating a critical transition from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 7, moving beyond proof-of-concept into the realm of system validation in operational environments. Within the trapped-ion modality, the primary challenge is no longer merely qubit isolation but the coherent integration of multi-physics subsystems. As hardware developers strive for larger-scale processors, the mechanical backbone must simultaneously manage extreme-high vacuum integrity, cryogenic thermal loads, and nanometer-scale optical alignment. This convergence of disciplines creates a structural bottleneck where the reliability of the physical architecture determines the computational uptime of the entire stack.
Macro-level analysis suggests that the quantum supply chain is shifting toward co-design models where enabling technology providers and system developers must integrate specialized materials and micro-fabrication techniques. This role type is positioned at the intersection of this shift, acting as the systems integrator for the physical layer. The industry faces significant constraints in talent capable of handling the high-concurrency of these physical demands, particularly as the sector moves toward modular, QCCD-based (Quantum Charge-Coupled Device) architectures.
Furthermore, the global competitive landscape for quantum sovereignty has catalyzed investment in national quantum labs and domestic fabrication capabilities. As these initiatives mature, the demand for sophisticated mechanical interfaces that can survive rigorous environmental testing while maintaining high-fidelity qubit operations will intensify. The ability to standardize these complex assemblies is a strategic differentiator, enabling firms like Quantinuum to transition from bespoke research setups to industrialized, cloud-accessible quantum processors. This progression is essential for overcoming the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum era limitations, where physical control stability directly influences error-correction overhead and overall system scalability.
The capability architecture for high-performance quantum hardware centers on the convergence of precision opto-mechanics, vacuum science, and multi-physics simulation. Unlike classical mechanical design, the requirements for ion trap systems necessitate a mastery of structural stability within extreme-high vacuum environments where outgassing and magnetic permeability are primary constraints. The ability to perform high-fidelity Finite Element Analysis across thermal, structural, and electromagnetic domains is critical for predicting the behavior of sensitive qubit environments under load.
These technical domains are not isolated; they function as a cross-functional coupling between the physical chassis and the underlying physics experiments. For instance, the structural design of the vacuum chamber directly impacts the delivery of precision laser beams required for gate operations. Effective architecture in this space prioritizes the reduction of mechanical vibrations and thermal drift, which are leading causes of qubit decoherence. By establishing a robust physical interface, this role enables the interoperability of complex optical and electrical subsystems, ensuring that the total system remains stable over long operational cycles. This level of technical leverage is fundamental to the progression of universal quantum computing. - Accelerates the transition of quantum processors from laboratory prototypes to standardized, industrial-grade commercial infrastructure.
- Enhances the structural reliability of hardware environments, directly contributing to increased system uptime for cloud-based quantum services.
- Reduces the physical overhead required for error correction by stabilizing the mechanical interfaces that drive gate fidelity.
- Facilitates the scaling of trapped-ion architectures through the development of modular, interconnected vacuum and optical subsystems.
- Mitigates systemic risks in the quantum hardware supply chain by optimizing the manufacturability and procurement of specialized components.
- Strengthens the integration of multi-physics layers, ensuring that thermal and electromagnetic constraints do not impede computational performance.
- Shortens the hardware iteration cycle by employing advanced simulation and prototyping workflows that predict real-world assembly behavior.
- Protects capital-intensive deep-tech investments by engineering robust protective chassis for sensitive quantum processing units.
- Harmonizes the interface between classical control electronics and quantum-grade physical hardware to enable seamless hybrid operations.
- Drives the progression of technology readiness levels across the ecosystem by providing a validated path to field-deployable systems.
- Improves the reproducibility of quantum experiments by standardizing the physical variables within the high-fidelity trapping environment.
- Enables the global expansion of quantum research hubs through the design of transportable and resilient hardware subsystems.Industry Tags: Quantum Hardware, Mechanical Engineering, Trapped Ion Computing, Vacuum Systems, Opto-Mechanics, Cryogenic Engineering, System Integration, Deep Tech, Ion Trap Design
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