Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer - Active Devices and Circuits
PsiQuantum · Palo Alto, United States · 3mo ago
PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries.
Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.
In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale.
PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact.
Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real.
Come join us.
Position summary:
PsiQuantum is seeking a Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer – Active Devices and Circuits to help develop active components and circuits for the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The hiring level and scope for this role will be calibrated to the selected
candidate’s experience and strengths. Candidates with relevant PhD/postdoctoral exposure, as well as those with additional industry
experience, are encouraged to apply.
The candidate will independently own photonic integration with Foundry Engineering and Test and Measurement teams. This role lies at the intersection of teams and is responsible for ensuring accurate testing and rapid analysis of high-volume photonic device data. A
successful candidate is expected to have hands-on experience and knowledge in active photonic technologies such as electro-optic phase shifters, switches, modulators, and related components.
Responsibilities
• Take a leading role planning and validating high-volume tests with Foundry and Test teams
• Analyze measurement data and interpret analysis results to understand and improve components and circuits
• Develop new test methods for active photonic components when needed
• Develop new automated analysis methods and improve existing data analysis infrastructure
• Contribute to photonic tapeouts, including design/ simulation of novel integrated photonic devices, hands-on layout, DOE design and interfacing with stakeholders such as packaging and electronic driver designers.
Qualifications
• PhD with relevant exposure to integrated photonics and electro-optic devices required; 3+ years of industry experience in integrated photonics
• Deep expertise in integrated photonic devices, including both passive and active components with a strong focus on electro-optic phase shifters and modulators.
• Experience coordinating wafer level tests and data analysis across multiple stakeholders• Experience in the design and modeling of photonic and electro-optic components using industry-standard tools such as Ansys Lumerical,Tidy3D, COMSOL Multiphysics, Meep, etc.
• Knowledge of modeling photonic circuits (Lumerical Interconnect, SAX etc)
• Experience with photonic tapeouts and layout using script-based layout tools (eg.,GDSFactory, Kfactory) and design for test methodology (DFT)
• Expertise in characterization of integrated passive and active photonic components; hands-on experience with high-speed characterization techniques (S-parameters, Vpi measurements). Familiarity with lab equipment such as as oscilloscopes, signal generators, VNAs,high-speed probes, and related RF/photonic test setups.
• Proficient in programming with Python
• Strong data analysis skills, including smart visualization and using data to inform
decision making.
• Collaborative in a multi-disciplinary startup environment
• Ability to work independently with limited direction
• Experience with project planning and management
• Proven team player
[We are open to adjusting the compensation to experience level]
PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.
Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to recruiting@psiquantum.com.
We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.
Base pay is one part of the total compensation package. Full-time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Our compensation ranges reflect the cost of labor across multiple U.S. geographic markets, and we pay based on defined geographic zones. This position may be filled within one of the following U.S. geographic zones, each with its own salary range.
Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, business needs, and internal equity. Your recruiter can share more details about the salary range applicable to your location during the hiring process.
- Zone 1 - Bay Area and NYC
- Zone 2 - Examples include Los Angeles and Washington DC
- Zone 3 - Examples include Austin, Chicago, and Sacramento
- Zone 4 - Examples include Nashville and Phoenix/Tempe and many remote locations
This position includes the following benefits: competitive health coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) with company match, equity grants, access to financial wellness tools and planning resources, wellness benefits, family support programs, life and disability insurance, paid leave programs, company-designated paid holidays, discretionary time off (DTO), and an end-of-year company shutdown. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements and may vary based on location, role, or employment status. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.
The estimated annual base salary range for this role is: