Sr. R&D Manager - Mechanical Products

We are seeking a Sr. R&D Manager - Mechanical Products in our Broomfield, CO location to lead the development and scale-up of advanced mechanical and vacuum-based hardware systems supporting next-generation quantum computing platforms. This role is responsible for owning the transition from R&D prototypes to repeatable, manufacturable products
, including cryogenic systems, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) hardware, physics packages, and Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) systems. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and partner across engineering, product technology, and manufacturing to deliver high-performance hardware with predictable yield, reliability, and operational readiness.

All applicants for placement in safety-sensitive positions will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

• Lead end-to-end development of mechanical product systems from concept through pilot build and production readiness
• Own technical direction for Cryogenic systems, UHV hardware, physics packages, and MOT subsystems
• Provide hands‑on leadership for assembly, validation, troubleshooting, and performance optimization of complex hardware systems
• Define and enforce design-for-x (DFX), manufacturability, and reliability standards
• Drive transition from R&D to production with emphasis on yield improvement, repeatability, throughput, cycle time, cost, and scalability.
• Refine designs and processes to enable predictable, high-quality manufacturing outcomes
• Establish and drive manufacturing readiness using a structured phase‑gate approach aligned to increasing manufacturing maturity (MRL Progression).
• Own scope, schedule, budget, and risk management across multiple hardware programs
• Develop and execute integrated plans with milestones, resource allocation, and prioritization across competing programs
• Partner tightly with Program Management and Product teams to ensure delivery to commitments
• Define and drive key operational metrics including yield, defect pareto, downtime, process capability, and cycle time to enable data‑driven decision making
• Own accountability for delivery across technical performance, manufacturing readiness, cost, and schedule
• Lead, grow, and mentor managers, mechanical engineers, physicists, and technicians
• Build scalable organizational capability aligned to product roadmap and production growth
• Establish clear accountability for technical execution and performance outcomes
• Drive cross‑functional alignment across Product Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Materials & Process Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure successful product realization
• Define clear ownership and handoffs between design engineering and manufacturing to ensure seamless transition to production

• Bachelor’s Degree minimum
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in a high‑technology R&D and/or low‑volume, high‑complexity manufacturing environment
• Minimum 4+ years of experience leading technical teams (direct management or program leadership)
• Due to contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person defined as U.S. citizen, permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status.
• Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People’s Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

• Advanced degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience with Mechanical design/assembly
• Demonstrated data analysis leading to data‑driven decision making
• Demonstrated experience working successfully with technicians
• Small‑scale manufacturing experience
• Direct experience with people‑management in a technical industry
• 3+ years of industry experience
• Experience in complex task management (cost, schedule, risk/opportunity, etc.)
• A track record of high‑technology (engineering, or physical science) development
• Strong organizational & leadership skills;
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Incentive Eligible – Range posted is inclusive of bonus target.

The pay range for this role is $207,000 – $258,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate’s skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.