Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Cryo Vacuum Systems - 1055

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Cryo Vacuum Systems in our Broomfield, CO location to help design and de-risk next-generation trapped-ion quantum computing hardware. This role will work closely with research scientists, system architects, design engineers, and lab engineers to develop mechanical systems compatible with cryogenic operation, UHV/XHV environments, precision optical alignment, and scalable quantum computer architectures. The ideal candidate is a hands-on mechanical designer who can turn ambiguous technical risks into practical designs, prototype tests, and clear engineering recommendations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design mechanical hardware for cryogenic and UHV trapped-ion quantum computing systems.
• Support the design of ion-trap packages, cryogenic assemblies, vacuum-compatible structures, thermal interfaces, optical alignment features, and precision mounting hardware.
• Develop designs that manage parasitic heat loads, thermal contraction, CTE mismatch, mechanical stability, vibration sensitivity, vacuum compatibility, and assembly tolerances.
• Design prototype hardware and de-risk test fixtures that lab engineers can build and operate to validate new materials, interfaces, and subsystem concepts.
• Support test planning for new materials, adhesives, thermal interfaces, coatings, cryogenic assemblies, and vacuum-compatible components.
• Work with lab engineers to evaluate outgassing, cryogenic thermal performance, mechanical stability, alignment repeatability, and failure modes.
• Perform mechanical, thermal, and tolerance analyses to guide design decisions.
• Generate CAD models, drawings, assemblies, interface definitions, and design documentation.
• Partner with vacuum, cryogenic, optical, electrical, trap fabrication, and systems teams to identify interface risks and develop practical solutions.
• Communicate design trades, assumptions, risks, test results, and recommendations to technical teams and program leadership.

You Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree minimum
• Minimum of 7+ years (Masters and PhD inclusive) of hands-on mechanical design experience with complex hardware systems.
• Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person. defined as, U.S. citizen permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status
• Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People's Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

We Value:

• Advanced degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, materials science, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience designing mechanical components or assemblies requiring precision tolerancing, thermal management, and structural stability.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools and mechanical drawing release practices.
• Demonstrated ability to design hardware that can be fabricated, inspected, assembled, tested, and iterated.
• Ability to use analysis, test data, and engineering judgment to make mechanical design decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear documentation of design intent, risks, assumptions, and recommendations.
• Experience with cryogenic systems, UHV vacuum systems, lasers and precision optics, AMO physics experiments, trapped-ion systems, or semiconductor packaging.
• Experience with material selection for vacuum, cryogenic, low-magnetic environments
• Experience with thermal modeling, parasitic heat-load estimation, FEA, tolerance analysis, modal analysis, or structural analysis.
• Experience designing test fixtures, prototype assemblies, or validation experiments for complex mechanical systems.
• Experience with GD&T, vendor management, machined parts, and design-for-assembly practices.
• Experience with vacuum cleanliness practices, bake-compatible design, leak checking, outgassing tests, RGA data, or cryogenic contamination control.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple design and de-risking efforts in parallel.