# Senior Mechanical | Cryogenic Engineer

**Company:** [Rigetti Computing](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/rigetti-computing)
**Location:** Berkeley, CA
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $165k – $190k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Solidworks, comsol, ansys, GD&T, design for manufacturing, thermal analysis, structural analysis, vibration analysis, tolerance stack-up analysis, cryogenics, vacuum systems, rf packaging, CAD, bom management, plm
**Posted:** 2026-08-04

> Leads end-to-end mechanical architecture and integration of cryogenic quantum hardware, from room temperature infrastructure to millikelvin systems. Requires 7+ years of complex hardware design experience, advanced SolidWorks and simulation skills, and expertise in cryogenic or vacuum environments.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

### Cryogenic Hardware Design
- Own the mechanical design of cryogenic hardware from 300 K to millikelvin, including thermal anchoring, RF wiring, flex interconnects, coaxial routing, filter housings, and connector packaging across temperature stages.
- Lead the full design lifecycle from concept through 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 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, including CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and revision-controlled design records within the company PLM system.

## Requirements

- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; M.S. preferred.
- 7+ years designing complex mechanical or electromechanical systems with end-to-end hardware ownership.
- Expert-level SolidWorks experience, including large assemblies, GD&T-compliant drawing packages, and DFM workflows.
- Independent proficiency in SolidWorks and COMSOL or ANSYS for thermal and structural analysis.
- Experience with hardware operating in cryogenic, vacuum, or extreme thermal environments.
- Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including stress analysis, tolerance stack-ups, materials selection, and failure mode analysis.
- Proven ability to lead technical efforts and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

## Nice-to-Haves

- 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, including connector specification, hermetic sealing, and cable routing in cryostats.
- Familiarity with cleanroom protocols, vacuum-compatible assembly, and contamination-sensitive environments.

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