Staff Mechanical Systems IPT Lead

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving some of the world’s most challenging problems by building and integrating quantum computers, sensors, and networks. The QGG Pathfinder program brings together atomic physics, aerospace hardware, electronics, software, supply chain, and mission assurance to mature a flight-relevant quantum gravity gradiometer payload.

Position Summary Infleqtion is seeking a Mechanical Systems IPT Lead to drive closure across QGG opto-mechanical, thermal, structural, tooling, and mechanical-interface scope. This role is responsible for turning crossdisciplinary technical ambiguity into released mechanical product definition that can be built, verified, and integrated. The ideal candidate has deep aerospace or precision-instrument experience, strong mechanical judgment, and the ability to lead engineers through design trades, reviews, drawing release, procurement readiness, and build support.

Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined below include essential functions of the role. Depending on business needs, this role may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• Lead the mechanical systems IPT for QGG opto-mechanical assemblies, structures, thermal/mechanical accommodations, fixtures, and mechanical interfaces.
• Drive closure of mechanical requirements, interfaces, margins, trades, action items, drawing packages, and design-review gates. • Own the mechanical path from concept and trade study through CAD, analysis, drawings, procurement readiness, assembly support, and test feedback.
• Coordinate with other subsystem IPT leads, AI&T, quality, procurement, and suppliers.
• Lead mechanical design reviews, peer reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, and technical closure meetings.
• Ensure designs are compatible with alignment, optical access, serviceability, cleanliness, vacuum, thermal, vibration, handling, and integration constraints. •
• Guide tolerance strategy, GD&T, DFMA, material/process choices, tooling needs, and configuration control discipline.
• Identify and burn down mechanical risks before they become AI&T or supplier blockers.
• Mentor mechanical engineers and designers and provide clear technical direction without overfragmenting ownership.
• Support program planning with credible ETC/EAC inputs, mechanical schedule status, and recovery plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience on complex aerospace, precision instrumentation, opto-mechanical, vacuum, or electromechanical systems.
• Aerospace hardware experience is required, including work on flight, flight-relevant, environmentaltest, or similarly high-reliability hardware.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional mechanical design closure from requirements through released drawings and build support.
• Strong CAD and product data experience, preferably with SolidWorks or equivalent tools and PDM/PLM release workflows.
• Experience with GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFMA, mechanical drawings, vendor technical communication, and design review facilitation.
• Working knowledge of structural, thermal, vibration, alignment, cleanliness, and assembly constraints in hardware development.
• Ability to communicate clearly with physicists, optical engineers, electrical engineers, manufacturing, quality, program management, and customers.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with space payloads, NASA/JPL programs, environmental qualification, or flight-relevant hardware.
• Experience with opto-mechanical systems, laser/optical benches, precision mounts, UHV-compatible hardware, or atom/quantum instrumentation.
• Experience leading small technical teams, IPTs, or responsible-engineer groups. • Experience with FEA, hand calculations, modal/thermal analysis, STOP-style reasoning, or precision alignment budgets.

Benefits

• Salary Range: per year 185000-210000
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account
• Unlimited PTO
• 401(k) match
• Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Savings Account
• Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Student Loan Repayment
• Equity Program