Photonic Design Engineer

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.

Job Summary:

This position is for a Photonic Design Engineer within the Circuit Team. This role is intended to expand the team’s design, validation, and data analysis capabilities in support of the growing demand for PIC development activities including large-scale data analysis, wafer screening, and system-level validation.

In addition, the team is initiating a new program focused on the development of integrated photodetectors. This new role will play a key technical role in supporting the design, simulation, characterization, and validation efforts for this new development, with the opportunity to grow into technical ownership.

Responsibilities:

PIC wafer-level data analysis and yield analysis.

Integrated photonic component design and modeling.

Circuit level simulation and layout.

Packaged PIC validation and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Photodetector development including component design, test support and validation/qualification.

Experience/Qualifications:

Ph.D. in electrical engineering, optical engineering, or closely related field or M.S with industry experience in integrated photonics or semiconductor device development.

Strong foundation in integrated photonics device physics including passive and active devices.

Proficient in photonic component and circuit simulation tools (e.g. Lumerical MODE, FDTD, Interconnect or equivalent).

Strong programming, data analysis, and visualization skills using Python based environments.

Hands-on experience with PIC layout and tape-out for leading silicon photonics foundries.

Prior experience in integrated photodetector design and characterization including device modeling and experimental evaluation of key performance metrics (preferred).

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.

The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

U.S. Base Pay Range $120,000 — $145,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range $140,000 — $164,000 USD