Q
RF/Electronics Engineer
Accepting applicationsQuSpectra · San Diego, CA
Full-Time Entry FPGARFVeriloganalogmixed-signal
Posted
1d ago
Category
Design
Experience
Entry
Country
United States
About QuSpectra
QuSpectra is a San Diego–based startup developing portable quantum sensing instruments based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. We are compressing laboratory-scale quantum sensing and spectroscopy systems into compact, board-level instruments that deliver high-performance measurements in a portable form factor. Our technology combines quantum sensors, photonics, microwave electronics, embedded systems, and microfluidics to enable next-generation analytical tools.
Based at UC San Diego, we are a small, fast-moving deep-tech startup where team members have the opportunity to innovate at the forefront of quantum technology while taking ownership of an entire subsystem, from concept and design through prototyping, testing, and deployment.
The Role
We're hiring an RF/Electronics Engineer to lead the mixed-signal and microwave hardware behind our quantum control and readout chain, including, microwave delivery, low-noise photodetection, precision magnetic biasing, and tight timing. You'll be responsible for the boards and signal chains that make coherent spin control and sensitive readout work in a small form factor.
What You'll Do
• Design and bring up microwave delivery hardware for NV spin control: microwave sources, IQ modulation, amplifier chains, and on-chip antenna structures.
• Design low-noise analog front ends, including amplifiers and filtering/gain stages.
• Build precision current drivers for bias coils and the DAC/ADC infrastructure around them.
• Design multilayer PCB layouts for mixed-signal boards where RF, sensitive analog, and digital control coexist, stackup design, grounding, shielding, and EMI discipline.
• Work hand-in-hand with our FPGA/firmware work.
• Characterize boards on the bench (VNA, spectrum analyzer, scope).
Required Qualifications
• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent, with 3+ years of hands-on hardware design.
• Demonstrated experience designing and debugging RF or microwave circuits, including impedance matching and S-parameter measurement.
• Strong analog design skills: low-noise amplification, TIAs, precision references, and an intuition for noise budgets.
• Multilayer PCB design experience (we use KiCad) for mixed-signal systems, including controlled-impedance routing.
• Comfort on the bench: VNA, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, and systematic debugging of a full signal chain.
Nice to Have
• Experience with quantum sensing, NMR/ESR, atomic, or other precision measurement instrumentation.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based control systems and the timing constraints of pulsed experiments.
• Experience with PLL/synthesizer design and phase-noise-sensitive systems.
• Firmware or HDL literacy (Verilog, embedded C) sufficient to collaborate across the analog/digital boundary.
Logistics
This is an on-site role in San Diego. Compensation includes salary, benefits and early-stage equity.
Salary: the targeted salary range for this role is $85,000 to $95,000, commensurate with experience plus eligibility.
How to Apply
Send a resume and a short note about a hardware subsystem you took from schematic to working bench measurement to hr@quspectra.com.
QuSpectra is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
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QuSpectra is a San Diego–based startup developing portable quantum sensing instruments based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. We are compressing laboratory-scale quantum sensing and spectroscopy systems into compact, board-level instruments that deliver high-performance measurements in a portable form factor. Our technology combines quantum sensors, photonics, microwave electronics, embedded systems, and microfluidics to enable next-generation analytical tools.
Based at UC San Diego, we are a small, fast-moving deep-tech startup where team members have the opportunity to innovate at the forefront of quantum technology while taking ownership of an entire subsystem, from concept and design through prototyping, testing, and deployment.
The Role
We're hiring an RF/Electronics Engineer to lead the mixed-signal and microwave hardware behind our quantum control and readout chain, including, microwave delivery, low-noise photodetection, precision magnetic biasing, and tight timing. You'll be responsible for the boards and signal chains that make coherent spin control and sensitive readout work in a small form factor.
What You'll Do
• Design and bring up microwave delivery hardware for NV spin control: microwave sources, IQ modulation, amplifier chains, and on-chip antenna structures.
• Design low-noise analog front ends, including amplifiers and filtering/gain stages.
• Build precision current drivers for bias coils and the DAC/ADC infrastructure around them.
• Design multilayer PCB layouts for mixed-signal boards where RF, sensitive analog, and digital control coexist, stackup design, grounding, shielding, and EMI discipline.
• Work hand-in-hand with our FPGA/firmware work.
• Characterize boards on the bench (VNA, spectrum analyzer, scope).
Required Qualifications
• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent, with 3+ years of hands-on hardware design.
• Demonstrated experience designing and debugging RF or microwave circuits, including impedance matching and S-parameter measurement.
• Strong analog design skills: low-noise amplification, TIAs, precision references, and an intuition for noise budgets.
• Multilayer PCB design experience (we use KiCad) for mixed-signal systems, including controlled-impedance routing.
• Comfort on the bench: VNA, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, and systematic debugging of a full signal chain.
Nice to Have
• Experience with quantum sensing, NMR/ESR, atomic, or other precision measurement instrumentation.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based control systems and the timing constraints of pulsed experiments.
• Experience with PLL/synthesizer design and phase-noise-sensitive systems.
• Firmware or HDL literacy (Verilog, embedded C) sufficient to collaborate across the analog/digital boundary.
Logistics
This is an on-site role in San Diego. Compensation includes salary, benefits and early-stage equity.
Salary: the targeted salary range for this role is $85,000 to $95,000, commensurate with experience plus eligibility.
How to Apply
Send a resume and a short note about a hardware subsystem you took from schematic to working bench measurement to hr@quspectra.com.
QuSpectra is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Show more Show less