Principal Hardware Engineer: High Speed Mixed Signal Designer

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. Atom Computing is seeking a hands-on Principal Hardware Engineer with specific expertise in high speed mixed-signal design to lead the architecture, implementation, and deployment of custom electronic assemblies for the control system of our quantum computer. In this role, you will drive hardware strategy across multiple concurrent projects while remaining deeply engaged in the tactical engineering work This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Control Systems Manager. ### Responsibilities - Design high level system architectures for instruments with particular focus on driving definition of analog and RF front end designs, including signal conditioning and amplification stages, DAC and ADC selection, power and clocking schemes, as well as control and monitoring circuitry. - Own the research, simulation, prototyping, evaluation, and design of high speed mixed-signal front ends used for driving high speed and high resolution analog signals used to interface with the lasers and actuators that control our quantum computers. - Own the PCB-level design (working closely with the PCB layout designer) of multi-gigabit transceiver interfaces (10+ Gbps) between FPGAs and data converters (stackup, via and connector transitions, routing topology) and validate signal quality and crosstalk with S-parameter-based channel analysis. - Experience designing, characterizing, and optimizing for low phase noise and spurious content and good linearity in high-speed data-converter designs, inclusive of clock PLL and distribution phase noise, power-supply and reference noise coupling, data converter optimization, and gain / signal conditioning stages and correlating that budget against measured performance. - Collaborate with quantum engineers and other groups to understand system needs, discuss solutions and define hardware design requirements. - Board-level circuit design, schematic capture, and PCB layout in Altium Designer of custom control system hardware. - Actively participate in the bring-up, verification, and testing of control system hardware systems, collaborating closely with FPGA, firmware, and software engineers. - Own technical relationships with contract electronics manufacturers and suppliers, driving Design for Manufacturing (DFM) strategies to support production and scaling operations. - As an expert on high speed mixed signal front end design, mentor other members of the team in hardware design to expand their expertise and ### Required Qualifications - BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. - 10+ years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board-level analog and digital circuit design, preferably with Altium Designer. - Self-motivated, collaborative, and driven to work effectively in a fast-growing startup environment. - Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse team of experimental physicists, hardware, and software engineers. - Experience in a full design cycle, from concept and schematic capture through to layout, fabrication, and initial board bring-up. - Working knowledge of PCB design best practices and a keen attention to detail. - Mixed signal design experience - Demonstrated proficiency with electronic test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum and logic analyzers, signal generators) for the bring-up and debug of prototype electronics assemblies. - Capable in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for basic data acquisition, instrument control, and automating hardware test and characterization. - Experience working on boards with complicated ICs (FPGAs, processors, etc) requiring several power supplies, high speed busses, and high speed memory interfaces. ### Preferred Qualifications - Familiarity with RF design concepts and/or software defined radio - Experience with multi-gigabit serial transceiver lane design, evaluation, equalization - Experience with IBIS-AMI modeling and correlation for multi-gigabit serial interfaces - Experience designing high speed memory interfaces - Experience with high speed digital and analog I/O and connector/cable selection and characterization - Experience working in a Linux environment - Familiarity with the MicroTCA, PXIe, or similar pluggable instrument standards