Senior Mechanical Engineer
Key Responsibilities: System Design & Development
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Senior the mechanical design of complex hardware subsystems including cryostat internal architecture, custom components for signal chain and metal enclosures
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Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
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Drive end-to-end design of mechanical interfaces from room temperature down to the millikelvin regime
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Design thermal anchoring and shielding systems optimized for mechanical stability and quantum coherence
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Perform thermal, vibrational, and structural simulations using FEA tools to ensure performance and robustness
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Build and validate mechanical/cryogenic prototypes in lab
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Collaborate with quantum physics teams to ensure system-level functionality in live quantum experiments
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Work closely with hardware, cryo, RF, and systems teams to deliver integrated, scalable quantum hardware platforms
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Develop specifications for outsourced components and manage supplier relationships for critical assemblies such as vacuum flanges, cryo fixtures, and RF housings
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Author assembly documentation, and maintain design traceability in PLM system
Required Qualifications
- M.S. degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent field
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7+ years of industry experience in mechanical design and systems engineering
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Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
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Strong background in tolerance analysis and GD&T principles
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Experience in thermal and structural modeling and simulation
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Familiarity with documentation control, revision management, and PLM tools
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Excellent cross-disciplinary communication and project collaboration skills
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Demonstrated ability to develop and document assembly processes
Preferred Qualifications
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Familiarity with thermal-mechanical effects in cryogenic materials and multi-physics system design
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Experience with RF packaging and electronic device integration in cryogenic or vacuum environments
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Quality assurance experience including inspection methodologies and non-conformance resolution
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Hands-on machining or fabrication experience to support rapid prototyping and design iteration
Skills
As published by lever · 5 questions · 5 written answers
Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website
- Describe the most technically complex mechanical system you've designed end-to-end. What were the operating conditions, what was your specific design ownership, and what was the outcome?
- Have you designed hardware that operates at cryogenic temperatures? If so, describe the lowest temperature regime you worked in, the platform (e.g., dilution refrigerator, pulse tube cooler), and the specific mechanical challenges you solved.
- What simulation tools have you used for thermal or structural analysis? Describe a specific design problem where simulation drove a significant change in your approach.
- Describe a time a design you were responsible for failed in testing or integration. What failed, why, and what did you change?
- What draws you to Rigetti and to working on superconducting quantum hardware specifically? What do you understand about the mechanical challenges at the millikelvin scale?