Director of Equipment Operations

PsiQuantum•Milpitas, CA

About The Position

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: PsiQuantum is seeking an experienced Director of Equipment Engineering to lead the bring-up, installation, and commissioning of next-generation quantum computing hardware. This role will be responsible for end-to-end delivery of complex systems, including cryostats, vacuum infrastructure, and electronic racks, working closely with internal engineering teams, facilities, and external equipment suppliers. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in vacuum systems, manufacturing start-ups, and facility-integrated equipment, with strong technical project management and supplier leadership skills. Prior cryostat experience is a plus but not required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
10+ years of experience in equipment engineering or hardware bring-up.
Strong experience with vacuum systems (UHV/HV).
Experience supporting manufacturing start-ups.
Experience managing supplier-delivered capital equipment.
Excellent project management and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with cryogenic systems or cryostats.
Background in semiconductor, quantum, or photonics environments.
Experience scaling equipment from prototype to production.

Responsibilities

Lead the bring-up and commissioning of the equipment supporting the next generation of Quantum Computing hardware.
Own equipment project management from specification through installation, acceptance, and operation.
Serve as the primary technical and programmatic interface to external equipment suppliers.
Coordinate equipment installation with facilities, EHS, manufacturing, and R&D teams.
Develop and execute installation, qualification, and commissioning plans.
Establish equipment documentation and readiness plans to support manufacturing start-up and scale-up.
Identify technical and schedule risks and drive mitigation strategies.

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