Principal Subsystem Build & 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.