Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware

rigetti· QPU Engineering Operations
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📍 Berkeley, CA or Fremont, CAFull time💰 USD 115K–140K

About this role

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing problems. Our quantum computing technology has the potential to transform nearly every industry over the coming decades. As a public company with deep roots in research and engineering, we are expanding our Engineering Operations team to support rapid advances in quantum hardware.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cryogenics and RF Field Engineer to support Rigetti systems deployed at customer facilities around the world. This is a hands-on, operations-focused role that travels to customer sites globally, working closely with both Rigetti teams and customer stakeholders in a highly collaborative, research-driven environment. The role is not tied to a single site — you'll be deployed to wherever Rigetti systems are installed, with assignments varying in length and location based on program needs.

In this role, you will work closely with physicists, engineers, and technicians to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced RF and cryogenic systems that enable next-generation quantum processors. You will be responsible for ensuring reliable system performance in a production-like environment, including direct ownership of cryogenic infrastructure, RF hardware validation, and rapid debugging of complex, cross-disciplinary issues spanning RF, vacuum, cryogenics, and electronics.

The ideal candidate brings deep laboratory experience with R&D hardware, has worked in customer-facing or field-deployed environments, is comfortable with international travel and working across time zones and cultures, and has direct hands-on experience operating and debugging dilution refrigerators.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Test, validate, and debug custom RF control systems using advanced electronic test equipment such as network analyzers, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and internally developed tools

  • Operate, monitor, and debug dilution refrigerators, including cooldowns, steady-state operation, and fault diagnosis

  • Operate, troubleshoot and service cryogenic and vacuum systems, including scroll pumps, turbo pumps, cryo compressors, high-vacuum components, and cold traps

  • Perform helium leak detection, pump rebuilds, and thermal system management

  • Assemble, validate, and install complex electro-mechanical, cryogenic, vacuum, and RF assemblies with exceptional attention to detail

  • Contribute to test plan development and execute validation testing for next-generation RF hardware

  • Participate in an on-call rotation to support system uptime in a customer-facing environment, potentially spanning multiple time zones

  • Prepare, inspect, and package quantum chip assemblies for testing

  • Follow established procedures and contribute to the creation and improvement of standard operating procedures and best practices

  • Read and interpret CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering specifications

  • Work directly with customer teams across different regions to support system operation, issue resolution, and ongoing optimization

  • Navigate logistics of international travel, including customs/import considerations for tools and equipment, visas, and site-specific access requirements

  • 35+% travel required, including international travel to customer sites; frequency and destinations will vary by program

What You Bring

  • Technical background in Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industrial experience (MS or PhD a plus)

  • Strong proficiency with general-purpose electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, network analyzers, multimeters, DC power supplies, etc.)

  • Direct, hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting dilution refrigerators (required)

  • Substantial hands-on experience working with sub-Kelvin cryogenic systems

  • Experience operating and maintaining high-availability laboratory or industrial equipment

  • Experience assembling, servicing, and maintaining scientific instruments or complex electro-mechanical systems

  • Familiarity with vacuum systems, vacuum plumbing, P&IDs, and standard fittings and practices; strong experience in vacuum equipment assembly and debug using helium leak detection

  • Working knowledge of statistical methods for test and validation (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma, simulation)

  • Attention to detail in documentation (writing and following Work Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures) plus excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Experience working with external vendors, partners, or customers across different regions and cultural contexts

  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally on short notice, and to hold or obtain necessary travel documentation (passport, visas)

Nice to Have

  • Experience in field deployment or on-site support roles at customer or partner facilities, particularly in international settings

  • Familiarity with import/export logistics for scientific or electronic equipment

  • Programming or scripting experience in Python or related languages

  • Additional language proficiency relevant to target deployment regions

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

About Rigetti
Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

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Export Licensing Compliance
Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware role at rigetti?
The listed salary for this Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware position at rigetti is USD 115K–140K. This is an Full time role.
Where is the Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware position at rigetti located?
This Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware role at rigetti is based in Berkeley, CA or Fremont, CA. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware role at rigetti full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full time position. It is posted as a Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware role in the QPU Engineering Operations department at rigetti.
Which team or department does the Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware at rigetti belong to?
This Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware position is part of the QPU Engineering Operations department at rigetti. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware position at rigetti?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to rigetti's official application portal hosted on lever where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware job at rigetti posted?
This Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware position at rigetti was posted on Sep 3, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware
rigetti · 💰 USD 115K–140K
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