Senior Mechanical Engineer - Instrumentation Hardware

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Instrumentation Hardware

Boulder, CO

Optical Engineering /

Full-time /

On-site

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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, engineering, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Opto-Mechanical Engineering team to focus on designing the physical systems that house, protect, and connect our Control Systems and associated electronic products - from enclosures and chassis to thermal management and cabling. You'll work closely with electrical, firmware, and systems engineers to turn functional requirements into manufacturable, reliable hardware, primarily for 19" rack-mount and other pluggable instrumentation form factors.

This is a hands-on mechanical design role covering the full product lifecycle: concept, CAD modeling, analysis, prototyping, and production support.

This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Opto-Mechanical Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities

• Design enclosures, heat sinks, shields, cabling, chassis, and front panels for rack-mount and pluggable instrumentation products
• Create and maintain detailed CAD models, assemblies, and drawings
• Perform thermal and airflow analysis to ensure components stay within operating temperature limits under real-world conditions
• Designing in sheet metal, extrusions, and machined parts as well as rapid prototyping (3D printing and other quick turn methods)
• Assist with connector and cable analysis and design; assess board and front panel space requirements and density, cable routing and restrictions, etc
• Conduct tolerance studies (GD&T-based) to ensure fit, function, and manufacturability across assemblies
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate PCBs, power supplies, and wiring into mechanical packaging
• Support design reviews, prototyping, testing, and validation (thermal, structural, EMI/EMC as applicable)
• Work with manufacturing, suppliers, and operations to ensure designs transition smoothly from prototype to production

Experience & Education

• BS in Mechanical Engineering
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering design experience relatable to instrument design

Required Qualifications

• Proficiency with CAD and simulation tools; SolidWorks and Ansys (e.g., Icepak, Mechanical, Fluent) preferred, though familiarity with similar CAD/FEA/CFD tools will also be considered
• Experience working with mechanical fixtures for PCBs (supports, integration fixtures, multi-board design with FMC or other board-to-board mating interfaces, heat sinks, shields, connectors, etc)
• Solid understanding of thermal management for electronics: heat sink design, airflow/CFD analysis, and component-level cooling
• Mechanical drawing and GD&T per ASME Y14.5M, tolerance stack analysis
• Experience with sheet metal design, fabrication methods, and cable/harness design
• Ability to work cross-functionally with electrical and systems engineers to balance mechanical, thermal, and electrical constraints
• Robust packaging of sensitive systems for shipping or extreme environments
• Comfortable moving between early-stage concept work and detailed production-ready design

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with pluggable instrumentation standards such as MicroTCA, PXI, VPX, or similar and modular PCB form factors, such as FMC
• Experience with RF shielding, EMI/EMC design considerations
• Experience with electronics test fixture design
• Exposure to test & measurement or precision instrumentation products
• Experience supporting products through sustainment/value engineering after initial release
• Familiarity with PLM and PDM tools

$140,000 - $164,989 a year

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 - $165,000 annually, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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