As Lab Manager at Rigetti’s R&D facility in Berkeley, CA, you will lean on your deep cryogenics experience to operate, maintain and debug dilution refrigerators and other cryogenic equipment. You will work to ensure successful experimental runs and to maximize fleet uptime, driving efforts to evaluate and resolve equipment problems including vacuum pumps, helium dilution circuits, compressors, valves and sensors.

You will coordinate and communicate lab work plans with internal stakeholders including Hardware Engineering, Quantum Engineering and Control Systems, and oversee lab operations on a day-to-day basis. You will be working with a talented group of engineers and technicians on dilution refrigerators and microwave electronics to implement quantum computing hardware, bringing a keen eye for detail and a dedication to quality in hardware build and test execution.

In addition to these responsibilities, you will perform direct hardware build and validation work in support of hardware development, test and experimental programs, providing installation, test, and hardware support to our engineering teams. You will build, maintain and debug cryogenic systems, and act as a key point of contact representing the operations team internally.

The ideal candidate thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and appreciates the kinds of audacious goals that are inherent to quantum computing. You are a self-starter who is able to juggle multiple concurrent projects, and you bring excellent communication skills to work with internal and external customers.

The Cool Work

• Operate, maintain and debug advanced cryogenic systems, including dilution refrigerators and small test cryostats.
• Build, test and debug electrical systems, working from schematics, diagrams, written, and verbal descriptions, layouts, or models.
• Perform operational tests and fault isolation on RF and Cryogenic systems and equipment.
• Prepare and conduct experiments in support of Test Engineering programs.
• Collect data and document test results in written reports.
• Coordinate the Operations On-Call schedule and support on-call rotations.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of laboratory materials and supplies, including organizing and maintaining reagents, consumables, specimens, and equipment.
• Place orders to replenish and track lab consumables.
• Review and revise safety protocols as needed, coordinating safety training for new team members or those transitioning to different roles, and ensuring adherence to policies regarding personal protective equipment.
• Supervise the cleaning and sanitization procedures in the laboratory, verifying the proper functioning of all equipment and instruments, and arranging for repair or maintenance when needed.

What You Bring

• MUST HAVE: Deep experience in a hardware R&D lab environment, including significant experience with cryogenics systems
• 6 years of relevant industry or military experience
• AA or BS degree in Physics, Engineering, or equivalent technical experience
• Expertise using RF measurement systems including network analyzers
• Superior troubleshooting skills
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to build relationships and interact across different disciplines.
• Strong listening skills a seek to clarify mindset and balance lab workload to align with departmental goals and team capacity.
• Curiosity with a strong appetite for learning.
• Team attitude and a solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.