Associate Engineer - Electrical
Vector Atomic
Summary
Vector Atomic is hiring electrical engineers to build ultraprecise quantum devices for applications that include autonomous/GPS-free navigation, high-bandwidth satellite communications, and geophysical exploration. This hands-on role requires strong electronic design skills with emphasis on analog and mixed-signal circuits. We are seeking strong individual contributors who can take ownership of their work while supporting overall team goals. Vector Atomic produces a large volume of custom PCBAs for both manufacturing and R&D projects.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with physicists, firmware, optics, and mechanical teams to architect electronics for quantum instruments and precision INS.
- Design, simulate, and validate low-noise analog front ends, data-converter paths, and mixed-signal control loops.
- Create schematics and perform placement/routing in Altium for complex, space-constrained PCBAs.
- Build robust power trees and POL supplies with tight ripple, transient, and efficiency targets.
- Apply signal integrity and EMI/EMC best practices: grounding, return paths, filtering, shielding, and layout constraints.
- Bring up, characterize, and debug boards using oscilloscopes, spectrum/network analyzers, SMUs, and logic analyzers.
- Write basic automation scripts (Python) for characterization and data logging.
- Document requirements, design notes, test plans, and manufacturing handoff; support prototype-to-production transition.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field plus 0-2 years of hands-on hardware experience. Significant involvement in Senior Design projects or technical extracurriculars (e.g., Robotics, Formula SAE) is highly valued.
- 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)
- Analog/mixed-signal design fundamentals: op-amps, references, filters, instrumentation amps.
- Power basics: buck/boost/LDO regulators, ripple/transient control, protection (OV/OC/UV).
- Data converters: integrating precision ADCs/DACs; sampling and anti-aliasing fundamentals.
- Noise and precision: 1/f and thermal noise, PSRR/CMRR, grounding and shielding practices.
- PCB design in Altium: schematics, footprint/library use, placement and routing for signal integrity.
- SPICE simulation (e.g., LTspice) for verification and tolerance analysis.
- Lab skills: oscilloscopes, supplies, DMMs; methodical bring-up and debugging.
- Signal integrity/EMI: impedance control, stackup selection, crosstalk and return-path management.
- Power specialization: sequencing, current sensing, thermal management, low-power techniques.
- RF/microwave basics: LO distribution, mixers, phase noise, shielding.
- Embedded familiarity: I2C/SPI/UART bring-up, reading datasheets; basic Python for test automation.
- FPGA/MCU board design and high-speed interfaces (e.g., LVDS).
- DFM/DFT, manufacturing processes, and reliability/environmental testing.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 0-2 years of hands-on hardware 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
- Must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents, or certain categories of refugees and asylees to comply with US export control laws
- Ability to work onsite full-time at our office in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay Area)
Benefits
- Platinum-level family health coverage
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Employer 401(k) contributions
- 20 days PTO
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Fully stocked kitchen
Company overview
Vector Atomic is a pioneering quantum technology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Pleasanton, California. The company specializes in commercializing quantum technology for real-world applications, with a primary focus on GPS-free navigation, telecommunications, and computing solutions. Vector Atomic develops advanced quantum sensors, atomic clocks, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems that leverage the exquisite properties of quantum systems. Their flagship products include the Evergreen-30, the world's first fully integrated commercial optical clock, and quantum inertial measurement units (IMUs) designed to provide standalone navigation capabilities without reliance on GNSS. The company has secured over $200 million in government contracts and works closely with defense agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, and DARPA. Vector Atomic's technology delivers precise picosecond timing with 1,000x improvement in GPS accuracy, making their systems deployable and field-validated for space, submarine, and airborne applications. In 2025, the company was acquired by IonQ, bringing over 75 specialized scientists, engineers, and operators to expand IonQ's quantum technology platform.