Principal Subsystem Build and Test Engineer

Responsibilities • Lead the build, integration, and testing of optical, vacuum/mechanical, RF, electronic, and cable assemblies.

• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians.

• Partner with Engineering on first-of-a-kind builds and translate designs into practical assembly and test methods.

• Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality to establish repeatable build processes, work instructions, fixtures, and test procedures.

• Provide hands-on technical direction for optical alignment, precision assembly, integration, and troubleshooting.

• Diagnose build and test failures and work with Engineering to identify design, process, material, or workmanship issues.

• Ensure required materials, documentation, qualified personnel, and calibrated equipment are available before builds begin.

• Maintain accurate build, inspection, and test records and release verified subsystems to System Integration & Test (SI&T).

• Track build progress, first-pass acceptance, rework, and cycle time and use repeat-build findings to improve processes and fixtures.

• Oversee approved subsystem measurements and acceptance tests, including optical characterization, electronic checkout, and applicable mechanical or vacuum verification.

• Collaborate with leadership to plan personnel, workspace, fixtures, and shared equipment across parallel build efforts.

Experience & Education • BS in Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience. Advanced degree preferred.

• 8+ years of experience building, integrating, testing, or developing precision optical, scientific, or similarly complex hardware.

• 3+ years of experience mentoring engineers and technicians in an integration, manufacturing, or test environment.

Qualifications • Extensive hands-on experience assembling, aligning, integrating, and testing precision optical systems.

• Experience working with electronic/RF, vacuum, mechanical, or electromechanical subsystems.

• Experience taking first-of-a-kind hardware through build, test, troubleshooting, and transition into repeatable production.

• Practical knowledge of optical assembly, alignment, cleanliness, bonding coordination, and the measurements used to verify precision optical subsystems.

• Working knowledge of electronic and RF assembly, chassis and cable checkout, and vacuum and mechanical build requirements.

• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to distinguish design issues from process, material, equipment, and workmanship problems.

• Experience working with released drawings, work instructions, inspection criteria, test procedures, calibrated equipment, and nonconformance processes.

• Desire to coach engineers and technicians and distinguish process problems from design issues.

• Experience with quantum computing, atomic physics, advanced photonics, aerospace, semiconductor, scientific instrumentation, or similarly complex hardware preferred.

• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.