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 hands-on Principal Hardware Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and deployment of custom electronic assemblies for the control system of our quantum computer. In this role, you will drive hardware strategy across multiple concurrent projects while remaining deeply engaged in the tactical engineering work
This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Control Systems Manager.
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Responsibilities
- Design high level system architectures for instruments, including multiple PCBAs for various functions, collaborating with others on FPGA/processor selection, power and clocking schemes, analog and RF front end designs and DAC and ADC
- Collaborate with quantum engineers and other groups to understand system needs, discuss solutions and define design requirements
- 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.
- Own technical relationships with contract electronics manufacturers and suppliers, driving Design for Manufacturing (DFM) strategies to support production and scaling operations.
- Mentor other members of the team in hardware design
Experience & Education
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board-level analog and digital circuit design, preferably with Altium Designer.
Qualifications
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and driven to work effectively in a fast-growing startup environment.
- 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 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.
- Mixed signal design experience
- 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.
- Capable in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for basic data acquisition, instrument control, and automating hardware test and characterization.
- 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
- RF front-end and high speed ADC/DAC design experience
- Familiarity with RF design concepts and/or software defined radio
- Experience with multi-gigabit serial transceiver lane design, evaluation, equalization
- Experience designing high speed memory interfaces
- Experience with high speed digital and analog I/O and connector/cable selection and characterization
- Experience working in a Linux environment
- Familiarity with the MicroTCA, PXIe, or similar pluggable instrument standards
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$170,000 - $200,000 a year
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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 $170,000 - $200,000 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 critical trajectory of the quantum hardware landscape has pivoted from basic physics demonstration to systematic architectural scaling. In this context, principal engineering leadership focused on control systems represents a necessary structural stabilization layer within the deep tech value chain. The translation of scientific breakthroughs into stable, commercial-grade computation depends directly on custom high-speed electronic frameworks capable of orchestrating complex physical arrays. Market data from organizations like the Quantum Economic Development Consortium indicate that the primary bottleneck to system throughput is no longer just qubit coherence, but rather the scaling limitations of classical control infrastructure. Consequently, this role type mitigates systemic capital investment risks by converting high-level physics requirements into predictable, manufacturing-ready systems engineering roadmaps.
The broader quantum infrastructure sector functions through a tight interdependency between quantum physics modalities and high-performance electronic control systems. As hardware platforms transition across varying Technology Readiness Levels, the stabilization of signal delivery, clocking distribution, and raw data throughput emerges as a primary macro constraint. The quantum value chain requires a structural shift away from off-the-shelf laboratory equipment toward deterministic, custom instrument architectures that support multi-gigabit data processing and precise electrical front-ends. This engineering evolution must be achieved without introducing prohibitive capital costs or compounding vendor fragmentation in the control stack.
Furthermore, international technology strategies and public-private funding cycles emphasize the necessity of domestic design validation and secure manufacturing supply chains. Principal hardware engineering functions act as the primary mechanism for managing technical relationships with contract electronics manufacturers and suppliers. This dynamic ensures that hardware assets meet standard guidelines for Design for Manufacturing, thereby supporting industrial scaling operations. Current industry focus lies on bridging classical and quantum capabilities at scale while insulating complex system elements from electrical noise and signal degradation.
The capability architecture for this role category balances advanced mixed-signal electronic design with complex systems integration protocols. Mastery over full-cycle printed circuit board layout, high-frequency radio frequency architectures, and ultra-high-speed converters forms the foundational toolkit required to sustain system uptime. These engineering tools serve as the direct operational link to adjacent firmware, FPGA, and core software stacks.
These technical capability layers are vital for decreasing the iteration friction between experimental physical models and field-deployed assets. By establishing rigorous verification, bring-up, and automated hardware testing frameworks, this function protects core intellectual property and guarantees structural reproducibility. Effective synchronization across these specialized domains ensures that high-density interconnect topologies remain stable under rigorous operational cycles. - Stabilizes the structural integration between experimental quantum physics arrays and classical electronic control layers
- Accelerates the transition of custom control architectures through successive Technology Readiness Levels
- Mitigates multi-project execution risks by synchronizing high-speed digital and analog system roadmaps
- Optimizes full-cycle Design for Manufacturing protocols to secure scalable contract electronics supply chains
- Reduces iteration friction between core software compilers and custom board-level hardware systems
- Enhances data throughput capacities via the deployment of multi-gigabit serial transceiver lane architectures
- Decreases capital deployment risks through the implementation of automated hardware verification and testing frameworks
- Standardizes precision power and clocking schemes across complex, multi-layered electronic instruments
- Facilitates predictable scaling pathways by converting abstract physics constraints into deterministic electronic specifications
- Promotes technical talent maturity through structured engineering mentorship within deep tech organizations
- Maximizes signal integrity within mixed-signal frontiers by managing high-frequency RF front-end architectures
- Drives interoperability by anchoring instrument designs to emerging modular and pluggable hardware standardsIndustry Tags: Quantum Hardware Engineering, Control Systems Architecture, Mixed-Signal Design, High-Speed Electronics, Neutral Atom Computing, Design for Manufacturing, Systems Integration, RF Engineering, PCB Layout
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