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Senior Mechanical Engineer - Cryogenic

Rigetti Computing· QPU – Hardware Engineering
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Hybrid (Berkeley, CA)$165k - $190kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Senior Mechanical/Cryogenic Engineer to own the mechanical architecture of Rigetti's quantum hardware systems, from room-temperature infrastructure to millikelvin core of dilution refrigerators. Lead cryogenic signal chain design, define mechanical interfaces across thermal stages, and collaborate with physicists, RF engineers, and systems teams.

Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.

Skills

Required:Cryogenic mechanical designCAD/DFM with SolidWorksThermal/structural simulationTolerance analysisCross-functional leadership

Benefits

  • Base Salary $165,000 - $190,000 per year
  • competitive salaries
  • equity
  • medical, dental and vision for employees
  • 401(k) plan
  • paid parental leave program
  • rejuvenation days
  • vacation policy aligned with local regulations and industry standards.
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Rigetti Computing

Quantum coherent supercomputing.

Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing and important problems. These systems will perform computations that today’s fastest supercomputers are incapable of — unlocking entirely new classes of problems and offering a direct path to solutions. We are scientists, engineers, builders, and visionaries. We believe quantum computing is going to significantly affect health care, how we treat disease, how we generate energy, and how we feed humanity. Rigetti is the only company deploying full-stack solutions for hybrid classical/quantum computing. Our 19-qubit quantum computer is available online through our Forest platform, and the first commercially useful applications are already under exploration. We were founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti, and are located Berkeley and Fremont, California.

quantum-computing
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