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 RF Engineer to join our team to assist in the design, verification, and testing of custom assemblies that enable control of our quantum computer. This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Control Systems Manager.
Due to the need for collaboration with Theory, Software, Hardware, and Optics teams, this role is required to be in the office in Boulder at least 3 days per week.
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Job Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and validate RF signal generation, distribution, and conditioning hardware used for quantum control and qubit manipulation.
- Architect RF subsystems operating from MHz to GHz frequencies to support quantum experiments and production systems.
- Develop RF chains including synthesizers, amplifiers, mixers, and filters.
- Simulate system performance in Keysight ADS and other RF modeling software to validate that this will meet the design requirements
- Writing scripts and simulations in order to inform RF design in Python or similar high-level programming language.
- Lead RF packaging design efforts with a focus on manufacturability, reliability, and high-volume production readiness.
- Contribute to the development of technical proposals, customer deliverables, and reports for external stakeholders.
Experience & Education
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- At least 10 years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in electronics, RF design.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated proficiency with RF and microwave test equipment, including vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and signal source analyzers for the characterization, integration, and debugging of RF hardware and prototype systems.
- Strong understanding of RF PCB design principles, including controlled impedance routing, grounding and shielding techniques, signal integrity, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and design-for-manufacturability best practices.
- Experience using scripting languages such as Python to automate RF measurements, instrument control test execution, data analysis, and performance characterization.
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and effective in a fast-paced startup environment, capable of driving RF development efforts through evolving requirements and technical uncertainty.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams including RF, hardware, software, systems, and quantum research engineers.
- Demonstrated interest in learning and applying quantum computing, atomic physics, or related scientific concepts to support the development of advanced RF control and measurement systems.
Nice to Have’s
- Experience working in a Linux environment. Familiarity with scripting languages including Python, Bash, etc.
- Experience in a full design cycle, from concept and schematic capture through to layout, fabrication, and initial board bring-up.
- Familiarity with RF design concepts, and/or software defined radio.
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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 $180,000 - $220,000 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 structural necessity for Principal RF Engineers in the quantum hardware sector arises from the critical requirement to bridge the gap between abstract qubit control logic and high-fidelity physical implementation. As quantum architectures transition from laboratory proof-of-concepts to scalable production systems, the fidelity of radio frequency signal chains becomes the primary determinant of system-wide error rates and operational stability. Verifiable market signals from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium indicate that the stability of the hardware-software interface is currently a high-risk bottleneck for industrial-scale deployment. By converting complex experimental requirements into deterministic RF subsystems, this role secures the physical layer necessary for fault-tolerant operations. Furthermore, the integration of multi-frequency control systems ensures that emerging hardware modalities can achieve the gate fidelities required for commercial utility. This function ultimately serves as a stabilization point within the deep-tech value chain, mitigating the systemic risks associated with hardware-driven decoherence in high-compute environments.
The quantum ecosystem is currently navigating a decisive shift from the exploration of diverse qubit modalities to the engineering of reliable, full-stack systems capable of handling production-level workloads. Within this landscape, the hardware enablement layer is undergoing significant professionalization, moving beyond bespoke laboratory setups toward standardized, high-performance control architectures. The primary macro constraints facing the sector include the acute scarcity of engineers who possess both classical RF expertise and a deep understanding of quantum information science. This talent gap is compounded by a fragmented supply chain for specialized microwave components, where lead times and performance variability can introduce significant delays in technology roadmaps.
Current industry focus lies on bridging classical and quantum capabilities at scale, which requires a sophisticated management of the RF environment to minimize cross-talk and maximize signal integrity across increasingly large qubit arrays. As hardware vendors target the milestone of hundreds to thousands of physical qubits, the complexity of signal distribution and cryogenic interfacing scales non-linearly. This necessitates a move toward more integrated, lower-power, and higher-density control electronics that can maintain precision across broad frequency spectra.
Moreover, the evolution of the value chain depends on the ability to synchronize rapid hardware iteration cycles with the protocols of enterprise-grade systems engineering. The integration of quantum computers into existing high-performance computing (HPC) environments remains a high-risk dependency, as the classical-quantum interface must support massive data throughput without compromising the delicate quantum state. Consequently, the availability of senior engineering leadership capable of orchestrating these complex cross-functional dependencies is a primary determinant of whether an organization can successfully transition from early-stage research to commercial readiness.
The capability architecture for this role type centers on the synchronization of advanced microwave engineering with the unique constraints of quantum control systems. Mastery of high-frequency signal generation and conditioning is essential for ensuring that qubit manipulation protocols are executed within strict coherence time limits. This requires a deep understanding of the integration points between high-level software instructions and the underlying hardware layers that manage pulse shaping and timing synchronization. These capabilities are fundamental to the throughput of hardware organizations, as they enable the parallelization of subsystem development alongside the scaling of the central quantum processor.
Interoperability at the hardware interface is critical for maintaining stability as the technology transitions through varying Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Expertise in high-fidelity PCB design and electromagnetic compatibility ensures that control systems are resilient to external interference and internal thermal fluctuations. Furthermore, the implementation of automated measurement and verification frameworks provides the leverage needed to assess the true performance of quantum gates before full-system integration. Such expertise reduces the iteration friction between experimental physics and product delivery, which is vital for long-term reliability in the emerging quantum computing market.
• Accelerates the deterministic transition from laboratory-scale experiments to industrial-grade quantum control systems
• Mitigates systemic execution risks by synchronizing RF subsystem development with long-term hardware roadmaps
• Facilitates the integration of high-precision signal chains into scalable quantum computer architectures
• Strengthens the reliability of hardware performance through the implementation of rigorous microwave benchmarking
• Reduces iteration friction between fundamental atomic physics breakthroughs and the deployment of stable hardware
• Optimizes the allocation of specialized technical resources across signal generation and distribution portfolios
• Enhances the stability of the quantum supply chain by providing predictable requirement frameworks for external vendors
• Supports the scaling of qubit arrays by managing the complex electromagnetic dependencies of high-density control
• Improves the transparency of hardware readiness levels for stakeholders in the investment and policy sectors
• Enables the structural reproducibility of quantum gate operations through standardized RF implementation protocols
• Protects high-capital research and development investments by ensuring alignment between scientific theory and physical reality
• Orchestrates the convergence of microwave engineering pathways with the practical demands of fault-tolerant computing
Industry Tags: Quantum Hardware, RF Engineering, Neutral Atom Control, Microwave Electronics, System Integration, Signal Integrity, Cryogenic Interfacing, Fault Tolerant Computing, Hardware Scalability
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