Mechanical Engineer
QuEra Computing Japan · Hardware Engineering
Location: Japan
Team: Hardware Engineering
Level: Mid-level individual contributor (~5 years)
Reports to: Hardware Engineering (US), with day-to-day coordination through Japan Operations
QuEra Computing Japan is advancing the development of neutral-atom quantum computing systems in collaboration with global engineering teams. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Japan team.
This is a deliberately broad, hands-on role for someone who likes being close to the hardware. You will do mechanical design as well as hands-on work on the quantum computer — inspecting, assembling, installing, troubleshooting, and fixing — and the local technical point of contact for the Japanese suppliers and contract manufacturers who build our parts.
We are looking for a practical generalist rather than a specialist: comfortable in CAD in the morning, on a machine with a multimeter in the afternoon, and on a call with a supplier about a drawing tolerance the next day. If you want narrow, deep design work, this is not that role. If you want to own the physical reality of a quantum computer on the ground in Japan, it is.
- Create 3D CAD models and 2D drawings using Autodesk Inventor, managed in Autodesk Vault.
- Design parts, brackets, enclosures, and assemblies with forethought toward manufacturing and assembly (DfM/DfA), applying GD&T appropriately.
- Specify, procure, and prepare prototypes; assist with testing and validation.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation — design requirements and specifications, drawings, assembly instructions, and test reports.
- Work with cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams to ensure designs meet performance and manufacturability requirements.
- Keep deployed systems running: inspection, assembly, installation, and preventive maintenance of quantum computer modules.
- Identify performance issues, determine root cause, propose correction options with tradeoffs, and implement the fix.
- During testing, development, and deployment phases, surface issues early and review problems and proposed solutions with the US team.
- Perform hands-on technical work as needed — wiring, soldering, basic electrical measurement and troubleshooting with a multimeter, assembly, cleaning, and general lab support. We are a startup and everyone touches hardware.
- Improve serviceability and reliability of the systems over time, feeding lessons learned back into design.
- Act as the local technical interface between QuEra engineering and Japanese suppliers and contract manufacturers — alignment on specifications, manufacturability, and timelines.
- Support the identification, qualification, and onboarding of Japanese suppliers, in partnership with the US Supply Base Engineering and Supply Chain teams.
- Ensure supplier documentation packages are complete and current: 3D models, drawings, assembly procedures, test procedures, test reports.
- Support design, procurement, and assembly of parts and enclosures by third-party vendors.
- Perform incoming part acceptance inspection and drive resolution when parts don't conform.
- Lead or support root cause analysis and corrective action for supplier-related quality issues.
- Help identify high-risk items and acceptable alternate components; support the US team's risk mitigation planning.
- Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and supplier transitions with minimal disruption to builds.
- Support supplier readiness during new product introduction (NPI).
- Contribute to a culture of engineering best practices — documentation, configuration control, and disciplined change management.
- Communicate clearly across a distributed, cross-timezone team.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Approximately 5 years of professional experience in mechanical design, with meaningful hands-on build, installation, or field-service exposure.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (Autodesk Inventor preferred) and experience with PDM software (Autodesk Vault preferred).
- Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes — machining, sheet metal, and mechanical assembly.
- Demonstrated experience working with machine shops and contract manufacturers.
- Practical electrical skills: soldering, wiring, and basic troubleshooting with a multimeter.
- Working knowledge of GD&T and DfM/DfA.
- Familiarity with product lifecycle management and configuration management processes.
- Business-level Japanese and English. Japanese is required for supplier and contract-manufacturer work; English is required for daily collaboration with the US engineering team.
- Willingness to travel domestically to supplier and customer sites, and internationally to the US as needed.
- Self-motivated, strong problem-solving skills, and a genuine team player.
- Experience with supplier quality tools and methods (FMEA, 8D, CAPA, PPAP, SPC) — familiarity is valued; certification is not expected.
- Experience in thermal management and liquid cooling design.
- Experience with opto-mechanical system design, optics, or lasers.
- Experience with power electronics systems and infrastructure.
- Experience with prototype fabrication and testing.
- Experience with precision metrology or high-performance test equipment.
- Working knowledge of PLM/ERP/MRP systems.
- Exposure to lean manufacturing principles.
- Familiarity with MBSE concepts.
