Bandelier Technologies is building advanced quantum photonic systems for defense and critical-infrastructure applications. In partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory, we are transitioning novel quantum optics technology from laboratory validation to ruggedized, deployable hardware.

We are seeking an Optical Engineer to lead the design, integration, and fieldization of advanced photonic subsystems.

Role Overview

The Optical Engineer will own the optical architecture and integration of our quantum photonic hardware, translating nonlinear quantum optics concepts into compact, stable, and ruggedized systems.

This is a build role. You will work at the optical table and inside the enclosure, designing real hardware that moves from TRL 4 toward TRL 6+. You will collaborate closely with quantum physicists, RF engineers, firmware engineers, and systems leads.

Key Responsibilities

Optical System Architecture

• Design and optimize advanced optical layouts for quantum photonic systems

• Architect nonlinear-optics-based photon source and generation modules

• Develop beam routing, alignment, and optical path design strategies

• Translate lab optical setups into compact, mechanically stable assemblies

Nonlinear & Quantum Photonics Integration

• Integrate nonlinear optical crystals into stable pump architectures

• Optimize phase matching, mode overlap, and collection efficiency

• Implement optical stabilization and locking strategies

• Design for long coherence preservation in practical environments

Packaging & SWaP Optimization

• Convert tabletop optical layouts into fieldable enclosures

• Design optomechanical mounts resistant to vibration and thermal drift

• Work toward compact, field-deployable form factors suitable for fixed-infrastructure and mobile deployment

• Collaborate on thermal management and environmental sealing

Testing & Validation

• Build interferometric validation setups

• Characterize system performance, spectral purity, and alignment sensitivity

• Conduct environmental stress testing (vibration, temperature cycling)

• Develop alignment and calibration procedures

Cross-Functional Integration

• Interface optical subsystems with detector electronics and FPGA/processing hardware

• Support integration into fixed-infrastructure and ruggedized field deployments

• Contribute to technical proposals and government reviews

Preferred Experience and Education

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Applied Physics, or related field

• 3+ years hands-on optical system design experience

• Experience with:

  • Entangled photon generation and characterization and nonlinear optics

  • FPGA-based data acquisition, time-tagging, and coincidence processing

  • Coincidence counting and correlated-photon measurement

  • Precision alignment and interferometric systems

  • Fiber coupling and free-space beam routing

  • High-precision timing electronics and synchronization systems

  • Systems integration across optical, electronic, and computational subsystems

  • Digital signal processing for noise characterization, filtering, and statistical analysis of photonic signals

• Proficiency in optical modeling tools (Zemax, COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent)

• Experience designing optomechanical assemblies for stability

Why Bandelier Technologies

This is a hands-on technical role with significant ownership of optical system design and integration, close collaboration with LANL inventors, and meaningful influence over how breakthrough physics transitions from laboratory validation to deployable systems. This role suits an experimental quantum optics scientist or optical engineer who wants to take advanced photonics concepts from lab-level validation to fieldable, real-world systems.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Email us at info@bandeliertech.com

Bandelier Technologies is a New Mexico, deep-tech company developing next-generation quantum sensing capabilities, in close partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Our work originates from cutting-edge laboratory research and is transitioning toward system-level development and real-world application.

We are seeking a Senior Quantum Scientist to drive the quantum sensing science across Bandelier's technology portfolio. This role owns the quantum physics layer of our work — from entangled photon coincidence metrology to timing and synchronization integrity for critical infrastructure. You will work directly with LANL inventors, lead experimental development in our Santa Fe lab, and define how Bandelier's quantum sensing capabilities evolve across platforms and programs.

You will be the internal quantum science authority at Bandelier. You will own experimental design and execution, guide the technical roadmap across platforms, and ensure that Bandelier builds quantum sensing systems that are not only scientifically sound but fieldable. This is not a postdoc extension. It is a role for a scientist who is ready to take ownership of experiments, of a technical team, and of the decisions that determine whether a product gets built.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead quantum photonic experimental work to involve: entangled photon source design and characterization, single-photon detector integration, coincidence observable measurement, and multi-dimensional drift fingerprinting across temporal, spatial, and spectral channels

• Work directly with the ML Engineer to ensure the quantum observables being generated are structured to support anomaly classification and timing integrity inference

• Serve as a senior technical voice in company-level strategy, supporting key stakeholder engagement, customer and sponsor discussions, investor diligence, strategic partnerships, product roadmap development, and decisions that shape Bandelier’s long-term technology and commercialization direction

• Evaluate and guide the integration of additional quantum sensing modalities — optical atomic clocks, quantum-enhanced magnetometry, and related technologies — as the company expands

• Provide quantum physics guidance to the broader team on hardware design decisions, proposal writing, and technical representation to government sponsors and program offices

• Contribute to IP development, including provisional patent filings, as new quantum sensing concepts emerge from the lab

• Support recruitment and technical mentorship as the quantum sensing team grows

Required Experience and Education

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field with a focus on experimental quantum optics, or quantum sensing

• Hands-on experience building and operating quantum optical systems — squeezed light, entangled photon sources, SPDC, BEC, matter-wave interferometry, or equivalent

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute experiments from scratch, not only operate existing apparatus

• Experience generating and characterizing quantum states for sensing or metrology applications

• Track record of translating laboratory results into system-level thinking

• Strong publication record appropriate to career stage

Preferred Experience

• Prior industry experience in a deep-tech, quantum technology, aerospace/defense, photonics, precision instrumentation, or advanced sensing company, especially in roles involving product-oriented R&D, prototype development, or technology transition

• Background spanning multiple quantum sensing platforms — rather than deep specialization in only one

• Experience in or adjacent to national lab environments (NIST, Sandia, LANL, AFRL, or equivalent)

• Familiarity with fiber-based quantum optical systems and deployed quantum networks

• Experience with or interest in defense, dual-use, or government-sponsored R&D

Why Bandelier Technologies

This is a foundational scientific leadership role at a company building quantum sensing systems that need to work outside the lab. You will collaborate directly with LANL inventors on technology that spans quantum photonics and timing integrity, own the experimental direction of multiple workstreams simultaneously, and have meaningful influence over how Bandelier's quantum sensing portfolio develops as the company grows. For a scientist ready to lead rather than support, this is a rare opportunity to build something consequential from the ground up.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Role Overview

The Intelligent Systems Developer will help design and build software that transforms data from advanced sensing platforms into actionable information. This role is primarily focused on software development, system integration, and product development across advanced sensing technologies. The successful candidate will work closely with hardware engineers, scientists, and external partners to develop practical solutions spanning timing and synchronization integrity, situational awareness, imaging, and other emerging sensing applications.

The role will initially focus on two converging technology areas. The first is timing and synchronization integrity, where software continuously monitors and verifies the trustworthiness of precision timing signals used across communications, navigation, and critical infrastructure systems. The second is advanced imaging, including quantum network imaging and ghost imaging systems, where the developer will build software solutions for image reconstruction, classification, and data processing, enabling the extraction of useful information from unconventional imaging modalities. These efforts will require software systems that bridge hardware, sensors, data processing, and machine learning to create operational capabilities from emerging technologies.

This role sits at the intersection of software development, advanced sensing, and applied machine learning. Successful candidates will be comfortable working across multiple layers of the technology stack, from sensor and hardware interfaces to data processing pipelines and machine learning enabled applications. While machine learning experience is valuable, equal emphasis is placed on strong software development practices and the ability to integrate diverse technologies into cohesive, deployable systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software applications supporting advanced sensing, timing integrity, and imaging technologies

• Build software for real-time anomaly detection and signal-integrity monitoring across timing and sensing data streams

• Build data processing pipelines for multimodal sensor systems, integrating information from heterogeneous sensing platforms

• Integrate machine learning models, software components, and external technologies into larger software ecosystems and operational workflows

• Design and implement interfaces between sensing hardware, software services, and downstream analytics tools

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and external partners to translate research concepts into deployable software capabilities

• Contribute to software architecture, technical planning, and product development efforts

Preferred Experience and Education

• BS, MS, or equivalent industry experience in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Applied Physics, or a related technical field

• Strong software development skills with experience building and maintaining production software applications

• Strong Python programming skills and experience working in Linux environments

• Familiarity with modern software development practices, including version control, testing, and debugging

• Experience developing user-facing applications, data visualization tools, APIs, or other production software systems

• Experience integrating software with hardware systems, sensors, or instrumentation platforms

• Familiarity with signal processing and machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, SciPy, or similar tools

• Comfortable operating in an early-stage R&D environment where requirements evolve alongside the technology

Why Bandelier Technologies

Bandelier Technologies is developing next generation sensing technologies at the intersection of quantum science, advanced instrumentation, and intelligent software systems. Our mission is to transform emerging sensing capabilities into practical solutions for timing integrity, situational awareness, imaging, and national security applications.

As an Intelligent Systems Developer, you will work directly with national laboratory scientists, technology partners, and company leadership to help shape foundational software capabilities across multiple sensing platforms. This is an opportunity to work on technically challenging problems, contribute to novel technologies, and build systems that bridge cutting edge research and real-world deployment.

Please be aware that many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.