Optical Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer is the backbone of our hardware development. In this role you will take end-to-end ownership of our mechanical design - translating optical and system-level requirements into precise, manufacturable designs, owning everything from kinematic mount design and opto-mechanical sub-assembly development to the top-level CAD assembly and BOM. You will work at the intersection of optics, mechanics, test and manufacturing, serving as the central integrating force that pulls domain-specific work from across the engineering team into a coherent, buildable product that ships to the world's leading quantum research institutions.

Location: On-site, Chicago area

Candidates must have current US work authorization - we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that employees primarily work from their Photon Queue office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments.

Concept Development

• Collaborate with the engineering team to define system architecture and requirements, and assess feasibility
• Develop concept designs and conduct trade studies for opto-mechanical systems and sub-assemblies

Detailed Design & Analysis

• Own the top-level opto-mechanical layout, CAD assembly and BOM, maintaining them as the authoritative source of record for the product
• Design, specify and integrate custom + off-the-shelf components – optical mounts (static, kinematic – manual & actuated), linear stages, Pockels cell assemblies, active alignment systems, motion controllers, PCBs, wiring, cooling systems and sealed/unsealed enclosures
• Design assemblies for thermal stability and vibration/shock isolation to ensure robust performance in real-world operating environments – using STOP (Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance), FEA (Modal, Stress, etc) analyses for rapid design iterations
• Translate optical error budgets into mechanical tolerances and stack-ups; run DFM/DFA reviews and material and adhesive selection to optimize for performance, manufacturability, and long-term reliability

Prototyping, Testing & Manufacturing

• Drive quick-turn machining and prototype builds to validate designs early and iterate quickly
• Design and build test stations, and execute engineering-level tests to characterize and verify hardware
• Develop fixtures, jigs, tooling, and work instructions to support repeatable production builds

Execution & Delivery

• Interface with component vendors and contract manufacturers; lead DFM discussions to ensure manufacturability and cost targets are met
• Lead design reviews; produce drawings, BOMs, test plans, and cost models
• Support field failure analysis as needed

• M.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field (or a B.S. with additional experience), plus 5+ years of opto-mechanical design experience through the complete product lifecycle; a Ph.D. may count toward the experience
• High proficiency in CAD (Onshape, SolidWorks, Catia, or equivalent), BOM management and GD&T
• Proficiency in FEA tools (ANSYS or equivalent) for structural and thermal analysis
• Strong understanding of tolerance stack‑up analysis, kinematics, and material selection
• Strong written and verbal communication skills – ability to present at design reviews and interface across engineering disciplines

• Optical design literacy sufficient to collaborate effectively with optical engineers
• Experience with precision alignment of opto-mechanical assemblies
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes including CNC machining, MIM, and casting
• Familiarity with quality control methods including statistical process control (SPC)
• Experience with mechatronic or actuated alignment systems
• Familiarity with quantum or photonic systems
• Comfortable or excited to work in a startup or fast-paced environment

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the qualifications stated above. We’re looking for the right candidate with the aptitude and drive to learn and grow with us. That may just be you!

• Compensation: $130k - $170k
• Equity: 0.3% - 0.6%
• Health Insurance:
• Medical – 100% covered for Employee, 80% covered for dependents
• Dental, Vision and Life – 100% covered for Employee and dependents
• Benefits/perks
• Flexible time-off
• 401(k) in the near future
• Parental leave:
• 6 weeks of paid Parental Bonding Leave for mothers and fathers of new children welcomed into their family (birthed or adopted).
• For birthing mothers, an additional 6 weeks of paid Medical Recovery Leave to build back your health and strength before returning to solving the problems of storing photons.