Optical Integration Engineer

Location: This role is based at our Bothell, WA office, with the option to work a few days a week remotely.

Travel: Up to 25%, domestic.

Job ID: 1751

The Role:

We are seeking an Optical Integration Engineer to join the Quantum Networking team at IonQ. This critical role entails subsystem integration of optical, mechanical, and electrical components into complex systems. Hands-on experience is required, as well as the ability to follow work instructions, develop new procedures, perform measurements, and work closely with engineering teams to troubleshoot problems and develop processes. Mechanical assembly, optical alignments, electronics mounting, and cable routing experience is ideal.

Responsibilities:

• Perform precision optical alignment and integration of components and assemblies
• Follow and execute work instructions and alignment procedures
• Support the development and improvement of assembly and alignment processes
• Perform inspection and measurement of optomechanical assemblies
• Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot alignment and performance issues
• Maintain accurate documentation for traceability
• Handle sensitive optical hardware in accordance with cleanroom and contamination control standards
• Integration of diverse optical systems, such as free-space optical communication systems, fiber-based systems, and high-power laser applications
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and control engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of optical subsystems
• Integration of control electronics and routed systems

Technical Skills

• Proven experience in optical assembly or optical instrument manufacturing, preferably in aerospace, photonics, medical devices, or precision equipment

• Strong experience with precision alignment and metrology tools such as:

  • Autocollimators
  • Beam Profilers
  • Shearing interferometers
  • Optical power meters
  • Infrared cameras and sensors
  • Interferometers for surface quality and wavefront error measurements
  • Polarimeters

• Excellent manual dexterity and precision handling of delicate optical components, and small precision components

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, exploded diagrams, and optical assembly procedures

• Experience with cleanroom operations (ISO 5 to ISO 8), ESD control, laser safety, and contamination-sensitive environments

• Understanding of optomechanical interfaces, including lens mounts, kinematic mounts, fiber collimators, alignment stages

• Experience with optical cleaning procedures and handling techniques

• Familiarity with measurement and inspection tools (micrometers, calipers, torque tools)

Requirements:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Photonics, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 2–5 years of experience in optical components, aerospace, optical communications, photonics, or precision optics manufacturing
• Experience in an assembly, integration, or optical alignment environment
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office, data entry systems, basic Linux)
• Maintains a clean & organized workspace
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time

Soft Skills

• Extremely detail-oriented with a rigorous and disciplined mindset
• Strong documentation and traceability skills
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams
• High reliability, accountability, and ownership
• Excellent cross functional communication and collaboration skills in a diverse team environment
• Mission-driven and team-oriented mindset
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Ability to effectively present data and results

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in Optics, Photonics, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of experience in optical components, aerospace, optical communications, photonics, or precision optics manufacturing
• Experience with optical alignment techniques, bench-top setups, and complex optical systems
• Experience in R&D environments
• Experience with mechanical and optical bonding & adhesives
• Enthusiasm to work with engineering to improve/develop work instructions, providing feedback, and experience in technical writing
• Experience working closely with optomechanical or mechanical engineers to set requirements including necessary degrees of freedom in a design
• Knowledge of optical and mechanical design and manufacturing processes
• Experience with product development lifecycle including design verification, design validation, and design maturation
• Demonstrated experience with industry and design best practices
• Experience developing specifications for optical/optomechanical/optoelectronic components and assemblies
• Experience with optical design software (e.g., ZEMAX) and mechanical design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Siemens NX).
• Mechanical integration experience including, chiller systems, mechanical structures, pressurized, cryogenic, and high vacuum systems
• Familiarity with cable and fiber optic harnessing
• Experience with data analysis or processing tools such as, MATLAB or Python

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.