Microwave and Cryogenics Test Engineer at Rigetti

Team: QPU Engineering Operations

Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing problems. Our quantum computing technology has the potential to transform nearly every industry over the coming decades. As a public company with deep roots in research and engineering, we are expanding our Engineering Operations team to support rapid advances in quantum hardware.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Microwave and Cryogenics Test Engineer to join our Fremont, CA Engineering Operations team. This is a hands-on, operations-focused role in a highly collaborative, research-driven environment.

In this role, you will work closely with physicists, engineers, and technicians to assemble, test, and support advanced RF and cryogenic systems that enable next-generation quantum processors. You will be responsible for operating and maintaining cryogenic infrastructure, characterizing custom RF hardware, developing best practices, and troubleshooting complex systems that span RF, vacuum, cryogenics, and electronics.

The ideal candidate brings deep laboratory experience with R&D hardware and has contributed hands-on within interdisciplinary teams in industry, academia, or national labs.

What You'll Be Doing

Test, validate, and debug custom RF control systems using advanced electronic test equipment such as network analyzers, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and internally developed tools

Operate, troubleshoot, service, and maintain cryogenic and vacuum systems, including scroll pumps, turbo pumps, cryo compressors, high-vacuum components, and cold traps

Perform helium leak detection, pump rebuilds, and thermal system management

Assemble, validate, and install complex electro-mechanical, cryogenic, vacuum, and RF assemblies with exceptional attention to detail

Contribute to test plan development and execute validation testing for next-generation RF hardware

Participate in an on-call rotation to support cryogenic systems uptime

Prepare, inspect, and package quantum chip assemblies for testing

Follow established procedures and contribute to the creation and improvement of standard operating procedures and best practices

Read and interpret CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering specifications

Support external system installations and work directly with customers and partners (up to ~20% travel)

What You Bring

Technical background in Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industrial or military experience (MS or PhD a plus)

Strong proficiency with general-purpose electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, network analyzers, multimeters, DC power supplies, etc.)

Substantial hands-on experience working with sub-Kelvin cryogenic systems

Experience operating and maintaining high-availability laboratory or industrial equipment

Experience assembling, servicing, and maintaining scientific instruments or complex electro-mechanical systems

Familiarity with vacuum systems, vacuum plumbing, P&IDs, and standard fittings and practices

Working knowledge of statistical methods for test and validation (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma, simulation)

Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills

Experience working with external vendors and partners

Nice to Have

Hands-on experience with dilution refrigerators or similar ultra-low-temperature cryogenic systems

Programming or scripting experience in Python or related languages

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