R&D 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:

The role is to make experimental progress towards a photon pair source by: 

• Designing nonlinear optical and single photon tests needed to characterize the photon pair generation platform. 
• Building test stations and developing the corresponding routines and control software.
• Performing measurements and analysis.

The employee will be responsible for selecting the equipment for specialized tests and coordinating the use of existing equipment.  

The employee will formulate meaningful reports. This can include some simulation work. 

The employee is expected to help others in the company in developing experimental work with a single photon component. The employee is expected to prioritize the work according to the team vision and to contribute to the development of the team roadmap.  

Responsibilities:

• Technical individual contribution
  • Design experimental stations.
  • Build experimental stations.
  • Participate in the definition of the best, clearest quantum/nonlinear optics experiments to support photon source learnings.
  • Run experiments.
  • Analyze data.
  • Generate reports.
  • Participate in the simulation and design of photon sources.
  • Participate in the generation of technical reports.
• Technical leadership
  • Anticipate testing needs for photon source technical learnings
  • Clarify priorities
  • Facilitate IP protection
• Team / Staff management
  • Identify missing skills
  • Participate in hiring to fill in open positions within the team
• Project leadership
  • Formulate plan and estimate budget for experimental builds.
  • Track progress of experimental projects.
• Cross-team interaction
  • Keep a strong communication with the test and system teams.
  • Help develop the code base for data acquisition, analysis, and visualization.
  • Help other teams develop tests with a single photon component.

Experience/Qualifications:

• 2+ years of relevant experimental work in quantum optics and nonlinear optics. 
  • Proven skill in designing and managing nonlinear optics and/or photonics experiments. 
  • Proven skill writing control software ideally in Python.
  • Proven skill modeling and analyzing experiments ideally in Python/Mathematica.
  • Experience leading technical projects.
• Proven skill in Applied Physics.
• Proven experience in computational thinking.
• Experience working with leading edge technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Subject Matter Expertise
  • Linear optics, imaging, microscopy, fiber optics.
  • Laser optics (physics, operation, and safety), work with pulsed lasers, broadband spectrometry.
  • Single photon measurements, coincidences, statistics, single photon spectroscopy.
  • Experimental physics, design of control systems.
  • Photonics testing, coupling to integrated circuits, automation.
  • Operation of cryogenic equipment.
  • Quantum optics theory.
  • Nonlinear optics theory.
  • Quantum information theory.
• Core skills:
  • Prioritization
  • Deduction
  • Attention to detail
  • Hands-on
  • Thinking outside the box
  • Open to change
  • Commitment to only deliver high quality work
• Performance in team environment:
  • Open listening
  • Curiosity
  • Openness to share and ask for advice
  • Learning while collaborating
  • Fast learning
• Leadership:
  • Drive to engage others
  • Delegation
• Planning and Organization:
  • High level picture
  • Focus on getting things closed
• People Management:
  • Empathy
  • Ability to ask useful questions
• Interpersonal Skills / Communications
  • Ability to explain clearly
  • Ability to engage an audience
• Project management
  • Commitment to deliver on time

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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