Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Job Responsibilities

Initiate and lead the design and specification of complex, next-generation opto-mechanical systems, ultra-high vacuum chambers, and mechanical infrastructure from the component level up to the system level.
Collaborate with technical leaders across engineering domains to define product requirements and inform the next-generation hardware development lifecycle.
Partner with physicists and subject matter experts to architect robust mechanical solutions for optical assemblies, ensuring high-precision stability, thermal performance, and alignment integrity.
Establish and enforce rigorous design standards and best practices for opto-mechanical engineering, including leading critical design reviews, performing advanced tolerance analysis, and driving Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) to ensure scalability.
Provide high-level technical leadership and oversight for the hands-on assembly, alignment, and system integration of critical opto-mechanical designs.
Mentor junior team members, generate internal training documentation, and drive technical growth and standardization within the engineering organization.
Participate in long-term technical program planning, including contributing to roadmap development and resource assessments to ensure alignment with company goals.
Contribute as a subject matter expert to technical documentation, grant proposals, and IP generation (patents and inventions).
Oversee external vendor relationships for complex component development, managing the design process and defining key deliverables.
Troubleshoot complex technical issues across the product lifecycle, both at Atom and off-site customer facilities.
Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.

Experience & Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, advanced degree is a plus
10+ years opto-mechanical design experience
8+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment

Qualifications

Deep expertise and demonstrated leadership in the design and build of complex opto-mechanical systems
Proven track record of driving complex technical initiatives from conception through deployment, and the ability to mentor and scale the engineering team's capabilities
Mastery of SolidWorks, PDM, or equivalent design and data management software
Strong background with FEA (meshing, modal analysis, thermal analysis, etc.) and corresponding first order analysis
Deep understanding of material science related to adhesives in an optical environment
Ability to own and mentor team members in DFMA, tolerancing, drawings to ASME Y14.5M and ISO 10110 
Strong knowledge of first order optics and aberration theory 
Robust history in precision mechanisms and kinematic systems
Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment
Excellent communication, listening, and people skills