Optical Engineer Co-Op
- Pay
- $50 – $60 per hour
- Location
- Boston, MA · On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Entry level
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Listed
- 19 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- Optics or optical engineering knowledge
- Zemax simulation
- CAD design (Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar)
- Hands-on laboratory skills (assembly, alignment, cleaning, testing)
- Working knowledge of optical system characterization and testing
- Technical documentation
Also useful
- Free-space optics
- Fiber optics
- Modulators
- Electro-optics
- Lasers
- Experience designing scientific instruments or bringing optical systems from concept to production
About the role
The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for an Optical Engineering Co-Op to serve as an individual contributor to the company's mission of building state-of-the-art, manufacturable, and deployable neutral atom quantum computers.
The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the company's technology leadership and translating the company's scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers.
To accomplish this mission, we are looking to hire a candidate with an undergraduate or graduate-level education in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics, paired with hands-on experience designing, building, and testing optical systems.
The ideal candidate will combine a solid fundamental understanding of optics with strong laboratory skills and a desire to grow as an engineer within an enterprise engineering environment.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Collaborate with senior engineers and physicists to design, build, and test optical sub-systems, modules, and components supporting QuEra's neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D, productization, maintenance, and beyond).
- Execute hands-on laboratory work-assembly, alignment, cleaning, and characterization of optical systems-and contribute to engineering documentation, design reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate with the R&D/science team to support cutting-edge R&D and help translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
- Assist with troubleshooting technical issues at company headquarters and, as needed, support off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with the local support team).
Qualifications
- Work towards M.S. or PhD in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field (M.S. preferred).
- Experience designing, building, or testing optical and opto-mechanical systems in a non-academic (industry, national lab, FFRDC or similar) environment with enterprise engineering practices.
- Strong system-level design skills including Zemax simulation skills and CAD design skills (e.g. Inventor, Solidworks)
- Working knowledge in several of the areas of
- Free-space optics
- Fiber optics
- Modulators
- Electro-optics
- Lasers
- Optical system characterization and testing
- Strong hands-on laboratory skills (e.g. assembly, alignment, cleaning, testing)
- Experience contributing to the design of scientific instruments and apparatuses, or to bringing optical systems from concept to production.
- Excellent attention to detail, communication, and documentation skills
Pay and benefits
We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly. We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience. Compensation for this role will be between $50/$60 per hour.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
From QuEra Computing's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 21, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Optical Engineer Co-Op role at QuEra Computing, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.
See how you fit
Openings from employer career sites are ranked against your whole resume—and searchable inside Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via Rolev.ai MCP.
Tailor without inventing
Every change to your resume is checked against your original. New experience goes in only with your yes—zero fabricated claims.
Draft the full kit
Tailored and Full Match resumes, role-specific cover letters, and answers to employer screening questions are prepared in seconds.
1-Click Extension Autofill
The Chrome extension fills the employer's Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or Ashby form in 1 click. You review it and press Submit.
Common questions
What is the salary for the Optical Engineer Co-Op role at QuEra Computing?
The Optical Engineer Co-Op posting at QuEra Computing states compensation of $50 – $60 per hour. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on QuEra Computing's official career site.
Where is the Optical Engineer Co-Op job at QuEra Computing located?
This Optical Engineer Co-Op position at QuEra Computing is located in Boston, MA (On-site). Always check QuEra Computing's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Optical Engineer Co-Op at QuEra Computing?
For the Optical Engineer Co-Op role, QuEra Computing highlights a bachelor's degree; experience with Optics or optical engineering knowledge, Zemax simulation, CAD design (Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar), Hands-on laboratory skills (assembly, alignment, cleaning, testing), Working knowledge of optical system characterization and testing, Technical documentation. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Optical Engineer Co-Op position at QuEra Computing?
This listing links directly to QuEra Computing's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on QuEra Computing's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.