Senior Mechanical Engineer - Instrumentation Hardware
Atom Computing
Boulder, CO · $140k–$165k a year · Posted September 14, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
See every open role at Atom Computing
More in Colorado job market · All Senior Mechanical Engineer jobs (341) · Technology & Software · Engineering jobs
More roles at Atom Computing
- Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer · Boulder, CO
- Senior Embedded Platform Engineer · Boulder, CO
- Principal Software Engineer - Control Systems · Boulder, CO
- Senior Laser Engineer · Boulder, CO
- Quantum Software Manager · Berkeley, CA
- Hardware Engineering Manager · Boulder, CO
Similar jobs
- Senior Engineer - Site Design · Olsson · Loveland, CO
- Senior Mechanical Engineer - Power Generation · Stanley Consultants · Denver, CO
- Mechanical Engineer IV · Sens Usa · Longmont, CO
- Senior Specialist, Mechanical Engineer · L3HARRIS Technologies · Sterling, VA
- Specialist, Mechanical Engineer Design · L3HARRIS Technologies · Huntsville, AL
- Senior Specialist, Mechanical Engineer · L3HARRIS Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. · Clifton, NJ
Where Boulder, CO ranks
Where Boulder, CO placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living in the Mountain West$144k · of 11
- #2Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Mountain West82 / 100 · of 11
- #4Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mountain West233 openings · of 22
- #4Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Mountain West59 / 100 · of 11
- #4Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Mountain West55 / 100 · of 11
- #5Best all-round cities for remote workers in the Mountain West57 / 100 · of 11
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing pays about $152,495 a year. Across 95 open senior mechanical engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $155,000 to $174,000 and the median is $170,000. That is 10% below the median, below the middle half of those listings.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
Senior Mechanical Engineer salaries by state · Check your own pay
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among mechanical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for mechanical engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineering, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing. We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Opto-Mechanical Engineering team to focus on designing the physical systems that house, protect, and connect our Control Systems and associated electronic products - from enclosures and chassis to thermal management and cabling. You'll work closely with electrical, firmware, and systems engineers to turn functional requirements into manufacturable, reliable hardware, primarily for 19" rack-mount and other pluggable instrumentation form factors. This is a hands-on mechanical design role covering the full product lifecycle: concept, CAD modeling, analysis, prototyping, and production support. This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Opto-Mechanical Engineering Manager.
Responsibilities
Design enclosures, heat sinks, shields, cabling, chassis, and front panels for rack-mount and pluggable instrumentation products
Create and maintain detailed CAD models, assemblies, and drawings
Perform thermal and airflow analysis to ensure components stay within operating temperature limits under real-world conditions
Designing in sheet metal, extrusions, and machined parts as well as rapid prototyping (3D printing and other quick turn methods)
Assist with connector and cable analysis and design; assess board and front panel space requirements and density, cable routing and restrictions, etc
Conduct tolerance studies (GD&T-based) to ensure fit, function, and manufacturability across assemblies
Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate PCBs, power supplies, and wiring into mechanical packaging
Support design reviews, prototyping, testing, and validation (thermal, structural, EMI/EMC as applicable)
Work with manufacturing, suppliers, and operations to ensure designs transition smoothly from prototype to production
Experience & Education
BS in Mechanical Engineering
5+ years of mechanical engineering design experience relatable to instrument design
Required Qualifications
Proficiency with CAD and simulation tools; SolidWorks and Ansys (e.g., Icepak, Mechanical, Fluent) preferred, though familiarity with similar CAD/FEA/CFD tools will also be considered
Experience working with mechanical fixtures for PCBs (supports, integration fixtures, multi-board design with FMC or other board-to-board mating interfaces, heat sinks, shields, connectors, etc)
Solid understanding of thermal management for electronics: heat sink design, airflow/CFD analysis, and component-level cooling
Mechanical drawing and GD&T per ASME Y14.5M, tolerance stack analysis
Experience with sheet metal design, fabrication methods, and cable/harness design
Ability to work cross-functionally with electrical and systems engineers to balance mechanical, thermal, and electrical constraints
Robust packaging of sensitive systems for shipping or extreme environments
Comfortable moving between early-stage concept work and detailed production-ready design
Desired Qualifications
Familiarity with pluggable instrumentation standards such as MicroTCA, PXI, VPX, or similar and modular PCB form factors, such as FMC
Experience with RF shielding, EMI/EMC design considerations
Experience with electronics test fixture design
Exposure to test & measurement or precision instrumentation products
Experience supporting products through sustainment/value engineering after initial release
Familiarity with PLM and PDM tools
Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!
The base salary range for this position is between $140,000 - $165,000 annually, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.