Staff Mechanical Engineer(Architect) - Mechanical Engineer for Quantum in Space
Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world’s most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables “quantum everywhere” through our ecosystem of devices and platforms.
Location
Infleqtion has 6 office locations, operating out of Boulder/Louisville, CO; Madison, WI; Chicago, IL; Oxford, UK; and Melbourne, AU. This position is a full-time, hybrid position which will be located in our Louisville, CO office.
Position Summary
Infleqtion is seeking a mechanical architect to design the infrastructure and mounting that allows our cutting-edge technology to transition the bounds between earth and space. In this role, the candidate will take a modified terrestrial design and implement all of the structural mounting, damping, and isolation necessary to survive the loads imparted by both the launch vehicle and the pre-launch microgravity testing necessary to prove out the physics sequence functionality to perform the required measurements in space.
The role requires close collaboration with our prime customer(s), internal management, researchers, systems engineers, aerospace experts, manufacturing partners, suppliers, and external subcontractors. The individual will actively engage customers and partners throughout the program lifecycle, ensuring delivery against milestones and commitments while maintaining alignment with Infleqtion’s internal product lifecycle and quality standards. Cross-disciplinary engagement is expected, with this role driving technical alignment across hardware, software, systems, and mission domains.
Job Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities outlined below include essential functions of the role. Depending on business needs, this role may perform a combination of some or all the following duties. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.
- This job takes our optical sensor head and works with our team and our customer team on how to mount it to the spacecraft, taking into account thermal heat transfer and optical tolerances to ensure that we maximize system performance
- Own the overall mechanical system architecture and ensure alignment with requirements and functional needs of the system
- Presenting progress and results to senior management and the end customer
- Execution of modelling, simulation, and analytical efforts required to enable product performance
- Integration of mechanical subsystems with electrical, optical, and other subsystems
- Identifying and engaging key suppliers
- Following Infleqtion’s Product Lifecycle Process and supporting Phase gate reviews, critical design reviews, and executive updates
- Supporting development of risk management plans and risk resolution, and supporting reliability analysis and continuous improvement
- Coaching and mentoring junior engineers
- Other duties as assigned or required
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, with a focus in design electronics and/or embedded systems engineering
- 6+ years of relevant and progressive experience in similar roles
- Demonstrated expert level proficiency in Solidworks CAD design tools
- Excellent proficiency in design first principles
- Experience using Solidworks analysis tools
- Excellent technical and people leadership skills
- Expert level understanding of opto-mechanics, including free space optical mounting, collimator design, free space and fiber coupled alignment design and tolerancing
- Ability to run Zemax/OpticStudio software and interpret the results
- Demonstrated Dfx (design to cost…etc)
- Understanding of ASTM E595 – how to choose materials for space
- Experience designing custom flexure mounts for both optics and instruments
- Tolerance analysis
- Hands on engineer with experience building both EDU and flight hardware
- Uses AI appropriately for leverage; understands limitations of current platforms
- Ability to travel domestically and (potentially) internationally up to 10%
Desired Qualifications
- Comfortable with a hands-on approach to engineering leadership
- Master’s or PhD degree in aerospace mechanical engineering or related field
- Experience in delivering new, advanced technologies to commercial markets
- Experience in hardware DFx (design for cost, manufacturing, assembly, test, sustainment)
- Familiarity with quantum computing, mechanics, or physics
Benefits
Benefits
- Salary range: 140,000 to 175,000 USD/year
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability
- Employer-funded Health Savings Account
- Unlimited PTO
- 401(k) match
- Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance
- Flexible Savings Account
- Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Student Loan Repayment
- Equity Package