Hardware Engineering Manager

Job Description

Job Description

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.

We're looking for a Hardware Engineering Manager to join our team in Boulder, CO, leading the architecture, development, and delivery of mixed-signal PCBs and hardware for quantum computers. This is a player-coach role: you'll combine strong leadership with deep technical expertise in mixed -signal instrument design, guiding a team while contributing hands-on to high-performance instrument development. 

You'll supervise a team of talented design engineers through the development, prototyping, and validation of mixed-signal printed circuit boards, working cross-functionally with mechanical, firmware, software, systems, operations, and manufacturing engineering to deliver robust, scalable solutions and state-of-the-art quantum computing controls systems. The role calls for a blend of project management and technical depth, with a strong foundation in hardware architecture, analog and digital circuit design, system integration, and instrumentation. Your guidance will be key to meeting project goals, improving design and verification processes, and ensuring product reliability, efficiency, and manufacturability.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of hardware engineers responsible for PCB design, bring-up, and test of quantum control system instruments.
• Work closely with Atom Computing's quantum physicists, optical engineers, and hardware engineers to understand the needs of current and future systems.  Drive explorations and track technologies to drive the hardware roadmap to meet these needs.
• Build and drive strong relationships with PCB fabrication and contract assembly vendors including managing quoting and lead times, and partnering to consistently hit quality and delivery targets.
• Lead root-cause investigation and corrective action when prototype boards come back with defects.
• Work closely with Atom Computing's quantum physicists, optical engineers, and hardware engineers to understand use cases and deliver hardware that addresses their needs.
• Oversee hardware projects from definition to production, tracking milestones and risks, cross-team and external dependencies to allow the team to efficiently develop products.
• Identify and drive process improvements in design, verification, and deployment to allow the team to efficiently scale up the number of control systems instruments that we are producing while maintaining and improving the quality of the boards

Experience & Education

• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
• 8+ years of experience as a hardware engineer, including significant hands-on work with PCB fabrication and contract electronics assembly vendors specifically.
• 2+ years managing a team of engineers, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team delivering complex hardware projects from design through manufacturing.
• Deep working knowledge of PCB fabrication and assembly processes, capabilities, and common failure modes.
• Comfort working in a low-to-mid-volume, high-complexity build environment with applications to precision instruments, aerospace, photonics, or similar.
• Demonstrated experience with root-cause and corrective-action processes for hardware quality issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Analog electronics design experience.
• RF electronics / software-defined radio experience.
• Existing relationships with PCB fab houses or contract assembly shops in the Boulder area.

Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!

The base salary range for this position is between $180,000 - $220,000 annually, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.