BS in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience, or MS/PhD with 5+ years.
Advanced SolidWorks or Creo skills, including production drawings and GD&T.
Experience with thermal and structural FEA using tools like ANSYS or COMSOL, validated against test data.
Hands-on experience with thermal management and ruggedization for shock and vibration.
Experience designing small hardware from prototype through production, including vacuum packaging and leak testing.
Responsibilities
Own system-level mechanical architecture, CAD design, and production release.
Manage mass, volume, and power budgets; conduct trade studies to optimize SWaP-C.
Develop thermal designs and models for critical components, correlating predictions with test data.
Design for shock, vibration, and thermal cycling; execute environmental tests and implement improvements.
Develop vacuum or hermetic packaging and precision alignment for sensitive components.
Drive design for manufacturing and assembly, ensuring production readiness.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on current and next-generation clock designs.
Benefits
Meaningful equity and a comprehensive benefits package.
Opportunity to own critical product design at the intersection of quantum technology and advanced engineering.
Collaborative team with expertise in AMO physics, RF, photonics, and microfabrication, based in Boulder, Colorado.
Full Job Description
Sr. Mechanical Engineer, US
The Role
We are seeking a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical and thermal design of our chip-scale atomic clock, from physics package and electronics integration through enclosure and production. You will reduce size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) while ensuring stability and reliability under demanding environmental conditions. You will model, build, and test prototypes, then work with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners to transition designs into production.
What You Will Do:
Own system-level mechanical architecture, CAD design, drawings, prototypes, and production release.
Manage mass, volume, and power budgets; run trade studies to reduce SWaP-C without compromising clock stability.
Develop thermal designs and models for the vapor cell, laser, and electronics, and correlate predictions with test data.
Design for shock, vibration, and thermal cycling; plan and execute environmental tests and implement improvements.
Develop vacuum or hermetic packaging, magnetic shielding, and precision alignment for optics and other sensitive components.
Drive design for manufacturing and assembly, supplier collaboration, assembly documentation, and production readiness.
Collaborate with physics, photonics, electrical, firmware, and manufacturing teams on current and next-generation clock designs.
Requirements
What You Bring:
BS in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience, or MS/PhD with 5+ years.
Advanced SolidWorks or Creo skills, including production drawings and GD&T.
Experience with thermal and structural FEA using tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, or SolidWorks Simulation, validated against test data.
Hands-on experience with thermal management, precision hardware, and ruggedization for shock and vibration.
Experience designing small hardware from prototype through production, including vacuum or hermetic packaging and leak testing.
Ability to build and test prototypes, document designs clearly, and work directly with machine shops, vendors, and contract manufacturers.
Strongly Preferred
Experience with atomic clocks, quantum sensors, magnetometers, or atomic interferometers.
Rugged electronics for defense, aerospace, or space applications, including environmental qualification.
Low-power thermal design, vacuum insulation, or low-emissivity coatings.
MEMS or microelectronics packaging, magnetic shielding, laser or photonics packaging, and optical alignment.
Experience with electronics cooling tools, ECAD/MCAD collaboration, PLM systems, or early-stage hardware companies.
Eligibility
Due to U.S. Department of Defense funding requirements, applicants must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents). The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required for certain projects.
Benefits
Base salary of $140,000 to $195,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Meaningful equity and a comprehensive benefits package.
The opportunity to own critical product design at the intersection of quantum technology, photonics, and advanced engineering.
A collaborative team with deep expertise in AMO physics, RF, photonics, and microfabrication, based in Boulder, Colorado.
