{"id":466808,"url":"https://alion.io/job/quera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems","title":"Optical Scientist – Quantum Systems","company":{"id":179594,"name":"QuEra Computing","domain":"quera.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/quera-computing","size_band":"11-50","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":69,"ghost_share":0.42,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":55,"computed_at":"2026-10-24T06:02:35Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Boston, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":130400,"max":211900,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":211900},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"GitHub","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-03-14T16:33:58Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-09","last_verified_at":"2026-10-24T12:08:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":223,"trust":{"level":"ghost","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale","company_stale"],"days_open":223},"description":"Summary\nIn this role, you will contribute to the advancement of neutral-atom-based quantum computing technologies by architecting, prototyping and integrating optical subsystems into QuEra’s next-generation quantum computers. These subsystems rely on diffractive optics, holography, optical tiling strategies, aberration correction, and camera-in-loop feedback to deliver stable, uniform, and precisely controlled optical fields across large qubit arrays. As part of an R&D team, you will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary group of physicists, engineers, and computer scientists to push the boundaries of quantum computing using neutral-atom platforms by helping shape long-term optical system design decisions.\nResponsibilities\nDesign and prototype scalable optical architectures for trapping, addressing, and readout of next-generation neutral atom qubit arrays.\nModel optical systems including diffraction, aberrations, polarization effects, and alignment sensitivities.\nEstablish integration strategies of new optical modules to optimize performance of neutral atom quantum computers.\nImplement diagnostic and calibration strategies linking optical design to experimental outcomes, enabling rapid commissioning and long-term stability.\nPartner with hardware engineering team to translate architectural concepts into deployable hardware and alignment procedures.\nEvaluate emerging beam-shaping and multiplexing technologies for next-generation scalability.\nStay current with the latest advancements in optical engineering, beam shaping, and optical computing relevant to neutral atom quantum computing. \nQualifications\nPh.D. or equivalent experience in Optics, Physics, or a related field with a strong background in optical system design and implementation. \nHands-on laboratory experience with free-space optical alignment, diagnostics, and characterization techniques. \nProven experience architecting and integrating complex systems with both hardware and software components. \nDemonstrated experience modeling optical propagation, aberrations, and system tolerances using analytical or numerical tools, e.g., Zemax. \nStrong programming skills in Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar environments for modeling, analysis, and calibration workflows. \nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to take technical ownership of complex subsystems. \nEffective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across physics, engineering, and software teams. \nTrack record of publications or significant technical contributions in relevant areas.\nPreferred Qualifications\nCAD design skills. \nProficiency with git, GitHub, and modern collaborative development workflows. \nExperience with neutral atom, ion, or other quantum computing platforms. \nFamiliarity with beam shaping technologies such as spatial light modulators, acousto-optic deflectors, diffractive optics. \nBackground in stability engineering, including mitigation of thermal, mechanical, and pointing drifts. \nThe approximate base salary range for this position is $130,400 - $211,900.\nWe consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly. We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience. In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.\nQuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.","description_format":"text","description_chars":3844,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Quantum Science & Computing","Quantum Computing Hardware"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-06T12:19:24Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 10","filings_12m":10,"filings_prev_12m":8,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":177500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":7,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.238,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":223,"expected_fill_days":55,"reasons":["conf:2","velocity","ghost","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-24T06:02:35Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":211900,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/quera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/quera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-24T14:29:58Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":20667,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-25T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":179594},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=179594"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fquera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fquera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fquera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/quera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fquera-computing-optical-scientist-quantum-systems"}]}