Senior Silicon Systems Engineer
Software Engineering · Full-time
Austin, TX, USA · Boulder, CO, USA
USD 140k-160k / year + Equity
At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.
We are seeking a Senior Silicon Systems Engineer to bridge the gap between custom silicon and highly complex hardware integration within Atom’s research and product development programs. This role would be responsible for defining system requirements, architecture design, and system level testing across the chip, PCBs, and auxiliary hardware subsystems.
The ideal candidate can translate requirements into a coherent system architecture and has experience applying systems engineering best practices to emerging technologies.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and document system architecture, including subsystem interactions
- Produce system-level design documentation and interface control documents (ICDs), including the chip–PCB–controller boundaries
- Lead chip-level system specs with ASIC designers, analyzing trade-offs across silicon, PCB, and software
- Develop specifications for ASICs, PCBs, controllers, and supporting hardware based on research goals maintaining clear traceability to system-level requirements.
- Work with engineers to translate measured performance, limitations, and operational experience into requirements for PCBs, controllers, RF/analog electronics, and auxiliary hardware.
- Manage change control processes for evolving architectures and requirements.
- Identify, quantify, and track technical risks, opportunities, and mitigations
- Engage in ASIC architectural reviews and tape-out readiness milestones, evaluating system-level implications of engineering modifications alongside silicon risks including respins, IP integration, and schedule impact.
- Link pre-silicon verification coverage and post-silicon bring-up and characterization results back to system-level requirements
- Plan system-level integration of the ASIC into PCBs and auxiliary hardware, including bring-up sequencing
- Act as technical liaison between Theory, Quantum Engineering, Hardware, Software, Controls, ASIC Design and Verification, and Optical Engineering
- Support customer interactions, including government program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and milestone reporting.
Architecture & Design Integration
System Definition & Requirements Management
Risk Management & Technical Planning
Integration, Verification, and Validation (IV&V)
Collaboration & Communication
Experience & Education
- BS or higher in Systems Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering or a related field
- 5+ years of systems engineering experience in complex, multidisciplinary R&D or production environments (quantum, aerospace, defense, advanced computing, or similar)
Required Qualifications
- Proven ability to lead requirements development, interface control, and V&V planning across engineering and science disciplines
- Experience with system architecture, requirements management tools, and configuration management systems
- Demonstrated experience with risk management frameworks
- Experience with silicon integration
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in engineering, physics, or a related discipline
- Familiarity with quantum computing, atomic and optical (AMO) physics, or control system integration
- Experience preparing and presenting SRR/PDR/CDR artifacts
- Experience supporting government-funded research or procurement programs (DoD, DoE, DoC)
140000 - 160000 USD a year