Senior Photonic Component Development Engineer

We believe quantum computing will change everything.  It will have the power to transform the foundations of giant industries that rely on intensive computation.  PsiQuantum is on a mission to build the world’s first useful quantum computer, capable of delivering these transformative results.  We know that means it will need 1 million qubits, error correction, a scalable architecture and a data center footprint.

By harnessing the laws of quantum physics, quantum computers can provide exponential performance increases over today’s most powerful supercomputers, offering the potential for extraordinary advances across a broad range of industries including climate, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials design, and many more. 

PsiQuantum is uniquely positioned to deliver on the promise of quantum computing years earlier than our competitors. Our architecture is based on photonics which gives us the ability to produce our components using existing high-volume semiconductor manufacturing processes, the same processes that are today producing billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics applications. Since photons don’t feel heat, we can take advantage of existing cryogenic cooling systems, the kind that have been operating at facilities like the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC).  And because photons are in fact light, they can move between subsystems at tremendous speed using standard fiber connectivity.

Our team is building a utility scale quantum computer and the software tools needed to build fault tolerant quantum applications. We’re a highly motivated and collaborative group focused on a singular goal - building the world’s first useful quantum computer on the fastest path possible. 

There’s much more work to be done and we are looking for exceptional talent to join us on this extraordinary journey! 

Job Summary:

Quantum computing promises to solve many important problems that could never be solved on any conventional computer. At PsiQuantum, we’re building a general purpose silicon photonic quantum computer to tackle these very problems.  

We are looking for an experienced, versatile, and highly motivated optical scientist who will be responsible for the development, prototyping, characterization, and integration of novel optical structures, devices, and subsystems for a linear optic quantum computer (LOQC). 

The role is focused on pushing the boundaries of high-performance integrated photonic components. The Photonic Component Development Engineer will work closely with the system architecture, test and measurement, foundry engineering, and packaging teams to find solutions to challenging problems. We’re looking for an out-of-the-box thinker with strong fundamentals in optics, material science, electro-magnetics, and nano- fabrication. The optical scientist will be expected to draw on a diverse set of skills to tackle projects that span multiple disciplines. 

Responsibilities:

• Interacts with device, hardware and software design teams to deliver passive photonic components that meet target specs.
• Develops novel techniques, components, and sub-systems and manages their development from concept, to prototyping, to integration into a CMOS process flow, to final assembly, packaging, and qualification.
• Hands on involvement in every step of the technology development cycle - fundamental model development, prototyping, testing, data analysis, design qualification, and process integration.
• Provides multi-disciplinary support to component and systems teams by resolving technical issues associated with components, parts, products, or systems.  
• Applies quantitative analysis in determining root cause of highly technical problems and proposes, develops and implements solutions for corrective action.   

Experience/Qualifications:

Education 

• PhD or equivalent in Electrical, Computer Engineering, Material Science, Physics.  

Experience 

• 6 years of relevant work or academic research experience in integrated optics. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Experience with micro and nano fabrication techniques and tools. Experience with CMOS and VLSI tools and processes.
• Strong fundamentals of the design and characterization of integrated optical components.
• Strong fundamentals in electro-magnetic theory, statistical analysis, and quantum mechanics.
• Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments, sites, time zones.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and detail oriented problem-solving skills.
• Proven experience executing cross-department complex projects.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities and deliver against a schedule. 

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.
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