Senior Engineer, System Calibration (Electro-Optics)

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: At PsiQuantum, we are developing and testing prototype modules that will scale into a datacenter-sized, fault-tolerant quantum computer. These modules and subsystems require regular calibration to ensure reliable generation of single photons and entangled states that underpin our quantum computing architecture. This role focuses on developing system-level calibration strategies for electro-optic components and subsystems, working across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries to ensure performance, reliability, and scalability. Role Overview Own and drive the end-to-end calibration strategy for electro-optic subsystems, from early concept through system integration and deployment, with a focus on uptime, scalability, and operational efficiency. Why is this role unique? This role has direct influence on how calibration is architected as a scalable system function. It shapes how electro-optic subsystems behave in production environments where uptime, automation, and repeatability are critical. In addition, it requires working across numerous engineering teams. What success looks like? Success in this role means: • Identifying and de-risking critical calibration dependencies early in development • Reducing calibration time and minimizing impact on system uptime • Delivering robust, automated calibration routines that integrate cleanly into the system software stack Over time, this work establishes scalable calibration frameworks that support high-availability quantum computing systems. Responsibilities: System Calibration Strategy • Consolidate and structure all calibration and operational information for our components and sub-assemblies involving electro-optic devices • Lead system-level calibration risk analysis and mitigation planning across hardware, firmware, and software interfaces • Develop requirements for hardware, firmware, and software teams to meet uptime and performance targets • Own and optimize calibration strategy against uptime requirements Modeling & Analysis • Develop modeling and analytical tools to understand how component-level electro-optic calibrations behave and interact when integrated into the full system • Track calibration time estimates and actuals to model our system’s uptime and identify areas requiring optimization Integration & Execution • Conduct prototyping of calibrations on benchtop setups • Specify test requirements to validate and de-risk calibrations at various levels of integration testing • Write control software to implement calibration procedures in our software stack Cross-Functional Leadership • Lead ad-hoc cross-functional working groups to collaboratively develop and refine high-risk calibrations • Partner with other system calibration engineers and software engineering teams to integrate calibrations into executable routines • Lead system-level validation support by providing system-level context, debugging support, and root-cause analysis during prototyping and integration Experience/Qualifications: • M.S. with 5+ years of industry experience or Ph.D. with 3+ years of industry experience in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline • Experience developing and integrating complex systems spanning optical and electronic hardware, firmware, software, and data acquisition, including cross-functional collaboration • Hands-on experience designing, characterizing, or calibrating electro-optic devices and systems • Experience developing and integrating complex systems across optical/electronic hardware, firmware, and software, including cross-functional collaboration • Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear requirements, models, or system frameworks Preferred Qualifications • Experience with integrated photonics, RF systems, or high-speed optical switching • Experience developing or scaling calibration procedures in complex experimental or production systems where scale and high reliability matter • Experience with system-level modeling, uptime analysis, or performance optimization • Track record of leading cross-functional technical efforts or driving alignment across teams • Experience documenting system architectures, experimental processes, or hardware designs in a structured and scalable way • Demonstrated interest in quantum computing or related advanced technologies 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: Zone 1 $182,200—$214,100 USD Zone 2 $164,000—$192,700 USD Zone 3 $145,800—$171,300 USD Zone 4 $127,600—$149,900 USD