Optical Engineer - Lens Designer

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 an Optical Engineer specializing in Lens Design to create custom, high-performance optical systems from the ground up. In this role, you will own the complete optical design lifecycle - from initial concept and ray-tracing to tolerancing, finalizing optical prescriptions, and working directly with fabrication vendors to bring custom lenses for our quantum computer to life.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test lens assemblies and systems for fiber collimation, laser delivery, imaging systems.

• Research and develop novel lens and mirror systems for laser delivery and imaging systems.

• Perform analysis on aberration correction, athermalization, and chromatic performance to balance competing system requirements

• Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis

• Develop alignment procedures for optical designs

• Generate rigorous optical fabrication drawings and specifications (e.g., ISO 10110 standards) for custom lens components and assemblies.

• Collaborate directly with custom optics foundries and coating vendors to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and oversee the procurement of custom optical elements.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or Optical Engineering, advanced degree a plus

• 5+ years optical design experience

• 2+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment

Qualifications

• Experience with Fourier Optics, flat field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging

• Experience in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems

• Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software

• Expertise in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for precision optics

• Fluency in optical drawing standards (ISO 10110).

• Experience with lens tolerancing in ray-tracing software

• Experience with STOP analysis

• Experience with stray light analysis

• Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software

• High attention-to-detail and accuracy

• Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment

• Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment

• Excellent communication, listening and people skills