First Article Inspector Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Location: Ottawa, ON (on-site)
Employment type: Full-time permanent
Salary range: $75,000 - $145,000 CAD per year, commensurate with experience

About Q-Block Computing: Q-Block Computing builds quantum systems that operate in the real world. The company develops quantum timing, quantum-secure communications, and quantum computing platforms engineered for the performance, reliability, and environmental resilience that mission-critical applications demand - systems designed to be deployed, maintained, and trusted by operators who cannot afford ambiguity about whether the technology works.

The long-term vision is deeper than any single platform. Q-Block is pursuing a mission to decode Nature's foundational model - to build instruments of sufficient precision and coherence that they become tools for understanding the physical universe at its most fundamental level. Commercialization and science reinforce each other by design.

About this role: The Optomechanical Design Engineer will own the mechanical and optomechanical design of Q-Block's quantum hardware platforms, carrying systems from laboratory prototype through to fieldable, environmentally hardened product. The work spans precision optical mount design, enclosure packaging, thermal management, vibration and shock assessment, tolerance analysis, and the manufacturing coordination that turns a design into a delivered article.

The successful candidate is a mechanical engineer who thinks at the sub-micron level when the optics demand it and at the field-deployment level when the environment demands it, and knows how to hold both pictures in mind at once. They are equally at home in CAD, in a simulation environment, and on the shop floor reviewing a first article with a machinist. The role collaborates closely with the Optical Engineer, the electronics team, and the firmware team, and is responsible for the physical embodiment of systems that need to work - not just demonstrate - under real operational conditions.

Responsibilities

• Design precision optomechanical mounts, flexure assemblies, lens housings, and beam path structures that maintain sub-micron and sub-millirad alignment stability under thermal and vibration loads.
• Design enclosures and packaging for quantum hardware modules, balancing optical access, thermal dissipation, electromagnetic shielding, weight, and serviceability.
• Develop 3D CAD models and assembly layouts of complete hardware modules integrating optical, electronic, and mechanical subsystems in SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent.
• Conduct thermal analysis (conduction, convection, radiation) of enclosed optical-electronic assemblies using ANSYS, COMSOL, SolidWorks Thermal, or equivalent; design thermal management solutions including heat sinks, TEC interfaces, and airflow paths.
• Perform tolerance stack-up analysis for optical assemblies; ensure alignment budgets are achievable given manufacturing tolerances, thermal drift, and vibration inputs.
• Assess mechanical designs against environmental qualification requirements (MIL-STD-810 shock, vibration, temperature; MIL-STD-461 EMC shielding) and recommend design modifications to meet defence-grade standards.
• Generate manufacturing-ready drawings with complete GD&T, material specifications, surface finish callouts, and assembly instructions.
• Coordinate with CNC machinists, sheet metal fabricators, and external manufacturing vendors on DFM reviews, first-article inspection, and production support.
• Support optical assembly and integration activities; design alignment fixtures, handling tools, and assembly jigs that enable repeatable assembly by technicians.
• Collaborate with the Systems Engineer on interface control documents and mechanical interface definitions.
• Manage a structured CAD library with revision control, BOM management, and controlled drawing release processes.
• Collaborate across optics, electronics, firmware, and systems teams; contribute to a culture of rigorous engineering practice and honest technical discussion.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field.
• 4+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, with at least 2 years involving optomechanical system design, precision instrument packaging, or electro-optical hardware.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred; Inventor, Creo, or equivalent acceptable); demonstrated ability to take a design from concept through detailed drawing release.
• Hands-on understanding of optomechanical design principles: kinematic mounting, flexure design, athermal compensation, stray light baffling, and vibration isolation.
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis for precision assemblies.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes: CNC milling, CNC turning, wire EDM, sheet metal fabrication, anodizing, and precision grinding; ability to design parts that are cost-effective to manufacture.

Preferred qualifications

• Proficiency in thermal simulation tools (ANSYS, COMSOL, SolidWorks Simulation) for predicting thermal distortion and designing thermal management solutions.
• Experience with structural simulation (modal, random vibration, shock response) for precision assemblies.
• Deep experience with materials selection for optical and defence applications: aluminum alloys (6061, 7075), stainless steels, titanium, Invar, machinable ceramics, and engineering plastics.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461) and designing hardware for shock, vibration, thermal cycling, humidity, and altitude.
• Experience in photonics, laser systems, scientific instrumentation, defence hardware, or aerospace packaging.
• Exposure to athermalized optical assemblies, bonded optical elements, or vacuum-compatible mechanical design.
• Experience transitioning laboratory prototypes to manufacturable, field-deployable product.

Security and compliance requirements

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, if required for assigned projects.
• Must be eligible to comply with requirements of the Controlled Goods Program, if required for assigned projects.
• Must be willing to participate in background screening, documentation, and compliance processes associated with security-sensitive work.
• Experience working in regulated, security-sensitive, or defence-oriented engineering environments is an asset.

Skills and attributes

• Strong attention to detail, authenticity, and a sense of responsibility in all tasks.
• Critical thinking and a problem-solving mindset grounded in measurement and evidence.
• Clear written and verbal communication; ability to produce design documentation that holds up under rigorous review.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Extended health care (including dental and vision)
• Life insurance

Equal opportunity

Q-Block Computing is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity. Accommodations are available on request during the application and recruiting process.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.