Engineer - R&D

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to prototype, field, and productize next-generation atomic clocks and sensors, including:

• Build and test optical, electrical, or vacuum systems
• Integrate electronics with sensors
• Set up test equipment; automate data collection
• Support field demonstrations of prototype clocks and sensors

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, or related field with 2-5 years relevant experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• To comply with US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees and asylees.
• Ability to work onsite full-time at our office in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay Area)

Preferred experience (several of the following):

• Lasers and optics, electronics, and/or vacuum systems in an R&D environment
• Laser and optical system prototyping
• Electronic test instrumentation including oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power supplies, and voltmeters
• Designing, building, and working with electromechanical assemblies.
• System integration, bring-up, and debugging
• Basic bring-up of circuit boards
• Electromechanical design of custom/semi-custom enclosures for electronic assemblies that address issues of shielding, grounding and thermal constraints
• Design and build of custom cabling and interface boards
• Computer-aided design
• Basic machining skills

Vector Atomic is building quantum hardware to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. In 2025, we joined IonQ [NYSE: IONQ], the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier – delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security.

Our scientists, engineers, software developers, and operations professionals collaborate to deliver real-world solutions. We value ingenuity, diverse skillsets, and teamwork. Every team member can make an immediate impact while growing professionally. Join us to build breakthrough technology in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
We are seeking versatile R&D Engineers to help build ultra-precise atomic clocks and inertial sensors. This jack-of-all-trades role demands a skilled and flexible engineer ready to thrive in a dynamic R&D environment. Ideal candidates possess a strong subset of the required skills and the capability to rapidly gain new skills.

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA (Bay Area)

Vector Atomic offers competitive compensation and benefits including:

• Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off & 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Fully stocked kitchen

Pay Range

The approximate base salary range for this position is $110,000 to $135,000 per year. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity and benefits.  It's atypical to be hired at the top end of this range for the role, as actual pay is based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience level.

Vector Atomic is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Vector Atomic does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or HR team.