Senior Mechanical Engineer - Cryogenic

Key Responsibilities

Cryogenic Hardware Design

▸ Own the mechanical design of cryogenic hardware from 300 K to millikelvin — thermal anchoring, RF wiring, flex interconnects, coaxial routing, filter housings, and connector packaging across all temperature stages.

▸ Lead the full design lifecycle: concept, CAD, GD&T drawings, BOMs, tolerance analysis, prototype builds, qualification testing, and manufacturing release.

▸ Define cryogenic mechanical interfaces and thermal conduction budgets; drive design-for-manufacturability with external machine shops and precision vendors.

Simulation & Analysis

▸ Perform mechanical, thermal, and vibration analyses independently using COMSOL, ANSYS, or equivalent; use simulation results to drive design decisions and iteration.

▸ Conduct tolerance stack-up analyses for multi-component assemblies in constrained cryostat environments.

Integration, Leadership & Collaboration

▸ Lead prototype builds, system integration, and cryogenic bring-up; diagnose integration failures and drive root cause analysis.

▸ Serve as the mechanical lead in cross-functional programs alongside quantum physicists, RF engineers, and systems teams, mentor junior engineers and lead design reviews.

▸ Maintain rigorous documentation — CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and revision-controlled design records — within the company PLM system.

Required Qualifications

▸ B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field (M.S. preferred).

▸ 7+ years designing complex mechanical or electromechanical systems with end-to-end hardware ownership.

▸ Expert-level SolidWorks — large assemblies, GD&T-compliant drawing packages, and DFM workflows.

▸ Independent proficiency in SolidWorks, COMSOL or ANSYS for thermal and structural analysis.

▸ Experience with hardware operating in cryogenic, vacuum, or extreme thermal environments.

▸ Strong ME fundamentals: stress analysis, tolerance stack-ups, materials selection, and failure mode analysis.

▸ Proven ability to lead technical efforts and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

▸ Direct experience with dilution refrigerators, cryostats, or sub-Kelvin systems in quantum computing or precision instrumentation.

▸ Knowledge of superconducting quantum hardware architecture and millikelvin design constraints.

▸ RF/microwave packaging experience: connector specification, hermetic sealing, and cable routing in cryostats.

▸ Familiarity with cleanroom protocols, vacuum-compatible assembly, and contamination-sensitive environments.