Sr. Electro-Optical Systems Validation Engineer

PsiQuantum'smission 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 approachisbased on silicon photonics. Byleveragingthe 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 : photonsdon'tfeel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.

In 2024,PsiQuantumannounced 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.

PsiQuantumalso 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. Itrepresentsa fundamental shift-and a path to mastering challenges that cannot besolvedany other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clearpathto make it real.

Come join us.

Job Summary :

At PsiQuantum we are developing a datacenter-scale quantum computer which consists of millions of photonic, optical, and electronic components. In our quantum computer architecture, complex networks of high-speed electro-optical switches route optical pulses based on real-time data. These photonic components and subsystems require real-time logic, firmware, and software to coordinate and control them. The Quantum Systems Validation team is seeking an experienced senior engineer to develop and execute design validation tests of prototype electro-optical subsystems, including hardware characterization, verification of digital logic and software functionality.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and execute design validation plans for integrated electro-optical systems which include electro-optical switch devices, polarization controllers, optical delay lines, single-photon detectors, custom electronics, FPGAs, sensors, control loops and their associated logic, firmware, and software functions.
• Develop and maintain one or more test stations for optical, electronic, firmware, software integration testing.
• Prototype, debug, and validate calibration and self-test functions of complex electro-optical systems.
• Write design-for-test requirements for hardware, firmware, and software functions to enable system validation.
• Work with software and firmware engineers to define and implement hardware-in-the-loop regression tests.
• Collaborate with Quantum Systems Validation engineers to ensure test coverage of all hardware and software functions, and to verify correlation between system-level quantum performance and subsystem-level test outcomes.
• Write validation reports and communicate test outcomes broadly to internal stakeholders.

Experience / Qualifications

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 $150,000—$185,000 USD Bay Area Pay Range $170,000—$202,000 USD