Mechanical Engineer — Hardware Integration and Reliability (Japan)

Location: Tsukuba, Japan (AIST)   •   Department: Hardware Engineering

Summary

QuEra Computing Japan is hiring our first dedicated Mechanical Engineer in Japan to design, prototype, integrate, and maintain mechanical systems for the current and next generation neutral atom quantum computers, and the facility around them. This is a hybrid designer-builder role: equally comfortable proposing a solution in CAD and picking up tools to build, install, and iterate on it in the lab. You will own problems end-to-end — identify the issue, design the fix, coordinate local fabrication, install and validate it — and serve as the local technical bridge to Japanese machine shops, contract manufacturers, and NEDO-supported suppliers, working alongside teams in the US and UK. Professional fluency in both English and Japanese is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Design precision mechanical assemblies — frames, mounts, enclosures, opto-mechanical hardware, shrouds — with attention to rigidity, vibration, and thermal stability.
• Update and own CAD models and 2D drawings for QuEra’s Gemini system at AIST, to match the as-built machine.
• Design and install water cooling loops, leak containment, and thermal management for laser and electronic subsystems.
• Design and install laser safety engineering controls: beam shrouds, periscopes, beam blocks, light-tight enclosures.
• Identify performance, safety, and ergonomics issues; propose options with tradeoffs; implement the fix (braces, maintenance steps, rack accessibility).
• Inspect, assemble, and install quantum computer modules; build unit testing benches for R&D supplier components; apply root-cause and preventive thinking to the product.
• Coordinate with Japanese machine shops and contract manufacturers; translate Boston/UK designs to local standards; support component validation.
• Apply DfM/DfA and maintain technical documentation — specs, drawings, assembly and maintenance instructions.
• General hands-on technical work: wiring, assembling, cleaning, plugging light leaks, deburring, small fabrication fixes. We are a startup.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Inventor or comparable 3D CAD, with willingness to work primarily in Inventor.
• Experience designing precision mechanical systems; strong grasp of structural mechanics, tolerancing, materials, manufacturing, and thermal management.
• Hands-on prototyping and lab experience; comfort with shop tools, benchwork, and installing your own designs.
• Professional English and Japanese, including “mechanical engineer” Japanese for specifications and supplier communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Scientific instrumentation, precision optics, opto-mechanical design; experience with optics, lasers, and laser safety.
• Thermal management and liquid cooling; power electronics; GD&T; PDM/PLM (Autodesk Vault preferred).
• DfM/DfA and prior work with machine shops, particularly in Japan; experience in international, distributed engineering teams.

メカニカルエンジニア — Hardware Integration and Reliability

勤務地: つくば市    部門: ハードウェアエンジニアリング

概要

QuEra Computing Japanでは、現行および次世代の中性原子量子コンピュータと、それを支える設備のメカニカルシステムを設計・試作・統合・保守する、日本における初の専任メカニカルエンジニアを募集します。本ポジションは「設計者」と「実装者」を兼ねるハイブリッドな役割であり、CADで解決策を提案することはもちろん、自ら工具を手に取り、ラボで構築・設置・改良を重ねていくことにも同じくらい意欲的に取り組んでいただきます。課題の特定、修正案の設計、現地での製作調整、設置および検証まで、一連のプロセスをエンドツーエンドで担っていただきます。また、米国および英国のチームと連携しつつ、日本国内の機械加工業者、受託製造業者、NEDO支援先サプライヤーとの現地技術窓口としてもご活躍いただきます。英語および日本語の双方でビジネスレベルの語学力が必須です。

主な職務内容

• 剛性、振動、熱的安定性に配慮した精密機械アセンブリ(フレーム、マウント、筐体、オプトメカニカルハードウェア、シュラウド等)の設計
• QuEraの「Gemini」システムについて、現物(as-built)に整合したCADモデルおよび2D図面の更新・管理
• レーザーおよび電子サブシステム向けの水冷ループ、漏水対策、熱管理システムの設計および設置
• レーザー安全のためのエンジニアリング対策(ビームシュラウド、ペリスコープ、ビームブロック、遮光筐体)の設計および設置
• 性能・安全性・人間工学(エルゴノミクス)に関する課題の特定、トレードオフを明示した複数案の提案、修正の実装(補強、メンテナンス手順の整備、ラックへのアクセス性向上 等)
• 量子コンピュータモジュールの検査・組立・設置、R&D向けサプライヤー部品の単体試験ベンチの構築、製品に対する根本原因分析および予防的アプローチの適用
• 日本国内の機械加工業者および受託製造業者との調整、ボストン/英国側の設計を日本のローカル標準に落とし込む作業、部品検証のサポート
• DfM/DfA(製造性・組立性を考慮した設計)の適用、ならびに技術文書(仕様書、図面、組立・保守手順書)の整備および維持
• 配線、組立、清掃、漏光箇所の塞ぎ込み、バリ取り、小規模な工作・修繕など、現場でのハンズオンな技術作業全般。当社はスタートアップです。

応募要件(必須)

• 機械工学分野の学位、または同等の実務経験
• Autodesk Inventorまたは同等の3D CADの実務スキル(主にInventorを使用することに前向きな方)
• 精密機械システムの設計経験。構造力学、公差設計、材料、製造プロセス、熱管理に関する確かな理解
• ハンズオンでの試作およびラボでの実務経験。工作機械、ベンチワーク、自ら設計したものを自ら設置することへの抵抗がないこと
• 英語および日本語のビジネスレベルの語学力。仕様書作成やサプライヤーとのやり取りに必要な、メカニカルエンジニアとしての専門日本語を含む

歓迎要件

• 科学計測機器、精密光学、オプトメカニカル設計の経験。光学、レーザー、およびレーザー安全に関する経験
• 熱管理および液冷、パワーエレクトロニクス、GD&T(幾何公差設計)、PDM/PLM(Autodesk Vault推奨)
• DfM/DfAの実務経験、および機械加工業者(特に日本国内)との協業経験。国際的に分散したエンジニアリングチームでの業務経験

About Tokyo

Applied Intuition entered the Japan market in 2019. The company has rapidly grown and established strategic relationships with major Japanese automotive OEM customers. Based in Otemachi area, the Tokyo site consists of more than 60 employees who previously come from Woven by Toyota, Mobileye, TIER IV, Google, Siemens and other renowned companies. We are hiring our first new graduate class - want to learn more?

About the role

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Support the mechanical engineering development of Applied Vehicles.
• Contribute to the mechanical design of the external sensor suite, compute assembly, and interior of the vehicles.
• Perform structural and thermal analysis of mechanical designs
• Own the design, analysis, and validation of the system from the component level, assembly level, and the fully integrated vehicle
• Design with a focus on scalability and manufacturability 
• Work cross-functionally to ensure the requirements and mechanical designs meet the needs of all the teams within the organization
• Verify that the designed components can be properly installed on the vehicle without issues through hands-on validation

We're looking for someone who has:

• BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering
• Fluency in both English and Japanese (written and verbal), with the ability to operate effectively in a bilingual business environment
• 2+ year of experience designing hardware and shipping products
• Demonstrated experience in FEA/CAE
• Experience with hardware reliability and testing
• NVH experience is a plus
• Perform incoming IQC on design hardware including visual inspection, pressure testing, and firmware flashing
• CNC, Machining, Metal Working and Welding experience
• Experience with Automotive Repair and Maintenance
• Experience working with AV Components Lidars, Radars, Camera etc
• Design, draw and prototype custom harness cable
• Familiarity using CAD (Solidworks Preferred) to navigate, design or modify 3D  models
• Setup device under test and execute test scripts provided by test engineers
• Produce and develop detailed documentation for test, maintenance, safety, and team processes
• Work directly with engineers to design, fabricate, and assemble custom test fixtures

Benefits and perks:

• Lunch and dinner allowance
• Equity (RSU) offering
• English / Japanese language allowance
• Company sponsored housing program
• Pension plan (確定拠出年金)

The intern will undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the Building Block Structure associated with the XP8 DCM product line, with the objective of attaining an in‑depth understanding of the configuration framework governing DCM process modules. Following this evaluation, the intern will delineate the common components and the specification variances across the various applications. Ultimately, the intern will conduct a structural analysis of each application and develop a detailed report outlining the principal design considerations.

What you will be working on

The intern will perform a structured review of the multi‑tiered Bill of Materials (BOM) for the DCM tool. The analysis will commence with the identification of components that are universally employed across the DCM product portfolio. Subsequently, the intern will assess component‑level differences to determine whether functionally interchangeable alternatives exist.
Upon completion of the classification of components into common, functionally equivalent, and application‑specific categories, the intern will collaborate with relevant stakeholder groups (including, but not limited to, the Process Development Team) to evaluate the rationale for such variations and to consider the implications of applying these variations uniformly across all applications.
The overarching objective of this project is to formulate viable recommendations for standardization.

What we are looking for

This project is ideally suited for interns majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or other engineering disciplines.  A bachelor’s‑level academic background provides adequate technical preparation to execute the responsibilities associated with this project.

Job's mission

As a Process Integration Engineer (Mechanical focus), you’ll be at the heart of innovation, designing and refining the mechanical systems that power our advanced semiconductor equipment. From chambers to gas and vacuum units, your work will directly impact the performance and reliability of the tools used by leading tech companies around the world. This is a hands-on role where your expertise will shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing.

What you will be working on

• Lead R&D for mechanical components and systems, including concept creation, feasibility analysis, and hands-on testing.
• Design and develop new equipment and functionalities and enhance existing systems from specification review through implementation. Perform engineering calculations including structural, thermal and fluid dynamics problems.
• Create and revise Creo Parametric CAD models and detail drawings, ranging in complexity from simple piece parts to large assemblies
• Select parts and control devices, performing technical evaluations to ensure compliance with design and performance standards.
• Prepare detailed documentation including instruction manuals, technical specifications, and design reports.
• Project management duties include report generation, schedule creation and maintenance, design reviews and interdepartmental coordination.

What we are looking for

• Master’s degree or above in Mechanical engineering or related degree.
• 3+ years of experience with 3D CAD software / 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical engineering.
• Experience in engineering, design, and development of complex mechanical systems including reactors, vacuum chambers, gas delivery systems, pneumatics, water cooling circuits, and vacuum systems required.
• Prior experience in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry. Deposition product knowledge a plus (CVD, ALD, EPI, PVD).
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to present design concepts to peers and management in a professional and effective manner.
• Strong cross-functional communication and project execution skills.
• Good command of written and spoken English (Korea is a plus), able to read technical documents.
• Experience in customer technical support or project management is a plus.
• Willingness to travel frequently, both domestically and internationally.