Director of Engineering
Rydberg Technologies
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Posted on Mar 20, 2026
Rydberg Technologies is at the forefront of quantum technologies, specializing in advanced quantum sensors, clocks, and photonic systems. We are committed to transforming cutting-edge research into market-leading products for both commercial and government sectors. We are seeking an experienced and innovative Director of Engineering to lead our product engineering efforts, ensuring the successful development and commercialization of quantum and photonic technology solutions.
Position Overview: The Director of Engineering will be responsible for leading the design, development, and commercialization of advanced quantum sensor products and devices, with a focus on atomic sensors, receivers, and clocks. This role requires deep technical expertise and a minimum of 10 years of experience in advanced atom-based and laser technology systems engineering, particularly in the commercial and government/defense sectors. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of bringing hardware and software products to market, and will manage a multidisciplinary engineering team through the entire product lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Development Leadership: Oversee the entire product engineering process from initial concept through to production and market launch, ensuring all products meet technical specifications and commercial/government requirements.
- Technical Expertise: Apply deep knowledge in atomic quantum sensors, photonics, lasers, optics, atomic electromagnetic field sensors, clocks, electrical engineering, and computer science to guide the engineering team and resolve complex technical challenges.
- System Integration: Ensure seamless integration of all system components, including optical, electrical, and quantum elements, to create high-performance, reliable products.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, product management, and other departments to align engineering efforts with business objectives, customer needs, and regulatory requirements.
- Innovation and R&D: Drive innovation by incorporating the latest advancements in quantum technology, photonics, and electromagnetic field sensing into product designs, ensuring that Rydberg Technologies remains at the forefront of the industry.
- Project Management: Lead and manage engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to budget, and compliance with quality standards, while navigating the unique challenges of both commercial and government/defense markets.
- Team Development: Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing product engineering team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Quality Assurance: Establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes to ensure all products meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
- Stakeholder Communication: Act as a key technical liaison, communicating product engineering progress and challenges to senior management, customers, and other stakeholders.
- Market Alignment: Ensure that product engineering efforts are closely aligned with market trends and customer needs in both commercial and defense sectors, driving the development of commercially viable products.
Qualifications:
- Educational Background: Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field, with strong expertise in atomic physics, photonics, electronics, software, and quantum technologies.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in advanced technology systems engineering, with a focus on commercial and government/defense sectors, and a demonstrated track record of hardware and software product commercialization.
- Technical Expertise: Proven track record of developing and delivering advanced quantum sensor products and devices, with deep knowledge in atomic electromagnetic field sensors, clocks, and related technical domains.
- Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and lead a multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Funding: Demonstrated history of success in comprehensive proposal preparation and obtaining federal and commercial funding.
- Project Management: Demonstrated experience in managing complex engineering projects from concept to completion, including navigating the unique challenges of government/defense contracts and regulatory requirements.
- Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset and the capacity to drive innovation and technical excellence.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to a variety of audiences.
- Market Insight: Understanding of market dynamics and customer needs in the quantum technology sector, RF test and measurement, electromagnetic sensor, and communications markets, with the ability to translate these insights into successful product strategies.
Position Overview: The Director of Engineering will be responsible for leading the design, development, and commercialization of advanced quantum sensor products and devices, with a focus on atomic sensors, receivers, and clocks. This role requires deep technical expertise and a minimum of 10 years of experience in advanced atom-based and laser technology systems engineering, particularly in the commercial and government/defense sectors. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of bringing hardware and software products to market, and will manage a multidisciplinary engineering team through the entire product lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Development Leadership: Oversee the entire product engineering process from initial concept through to production and market launch, ensuring all products meet technical specifications and commercial/government requirements.
- Technical Expertise: Apply deep knowledge in atomic quantum sensors, photonics, lasers, optics, atomic electromagnetic field sensors, clocks, electrical engineering, and computer science to guide the engineering team and resolve complex technical challenges.
- System Integration: Ensure seamless integration of all system components, including optical, electrical, and quantum elements, to create high-performance, reliable products.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, product management, and other departments to align engineering efforts with business objectives, customer needs, and regulatory requirements.
- Innovation and R&D: Drive innovation by incorporating the latest advancements in quantum technology, photonics, and electromagnetic field sensing into product designs, ensuring that Rydberg Technologies remains at the forefront of the industry.
- Project Management: Lead and manage engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to budget, and compliance with quality standards, while navigating the unique challenges of both commercial and government/defense markets.
- Team Development: Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing product engineering team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Quality Assurance: Establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes to ensure all products meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
- Stakeholder Communication: Act as a key technical liaison, communicating product engineering progress and challenges to senior management, customers, and other stakeholders.
- Market Alignment: Ensure that product engineering efforts are closely aligned with market trends and customer needs in both commercial and defense sectors, driving the development of commercially viable products.
Qualifications:
- Educational Background: Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field, with strong expertise in atomic physics, photonics, electronics, software, and quantum technologies.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in advanced technology systems engineering, with a focus on commercial and government/defense sectors, and a demonstrated track record of hardware and software product commercialization.
- Technical Expertise: Proven track record of developing and delivering advanced quantum sensor products and devices, with deep knowledge in atomic electromagnetic field sensors, clocks, and related technical domains.
- Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and lead a multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Funding: Demonstrated history of success in comprehensive proposal preparation and obtaining federal and commercial funding.
- Project Management: Demonstrated experience in managing complex engineering projects from concept to completion, including navigating the unique challenges of government/defense contracts and regulatory requirements.
- Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset and the capacity to drive innovation and technical excellence.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to a variety of audiences.
- Market Insight: Understanding of market dynamics and customer needs in the quantum technology sector, RF test and measurement, electromagnetic sensor, and communications markets, with the ability to translate these insights into successful product strategies.