Principal System Integration Lead (Quantum Hardware)

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: System Integration Lead will translate quantum system requirements into an implementable, scalable hardware architecture—and then drive cross-functional integration from concept through build, test, and deployment. This role sits at the intersection of quantum system architecture, photonics/electronics hardware, facilities and infrastructure, and system design engineering. You will be a primary technical integrator and communicator who brings clarity, alignment, and execution discipline to a fast-moving environment.

Requirements

MS in a relevant engineering field (Electronics, Optics, Photonics, EE/CE, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, etc.) with 10+ years of industry experience, or PhD in a similar field with 6+ years of industry experience.
Demonstrated experience in electronic–photonics systems (mixed-domain integration: optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, controls).
Strong understanding of system integration principles: requirements, interfaces, verification, reliability, and integration/test planning.
Prior experience in lead positions (technical lead, system lead, integration lead, or program-facing technical leadership).
Track record of driving cross-functional execution and resolving complex technical dependencies.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex technical topics into clear decisions and actionable plans.
Strong positive attitude toward change and uncertainty ; able to adapt quickly and navigate complex decision-making environments.

Nice To Haves

Background in data-center-scale system integration (large infrastructure, facility constraints, high availability, safety, commissioning, operational readiness).
Experience integrating systems that span facility + hardware + controls/software , including deployment/commissioning in operational environments.
Familiarity with formal systems engineering tools and methods (MBSE, DOORS/Jama, configuration management, structured V&V).

Responsibilities

Translate system intent into hardware reality Gather inputs from the Quantum System Architecture team and convert them into an implementable hardware architecture (requirements, interfaces, subsystems, integration plan, verification strategy).
Own end-to-end system-level requirements decomposition into subsystem specs (photonics, electronics, thermal, mechanical, controls, firmware/software interfaces, infrastructure).
Define and maintain the system architecture baseline as designs evolve—managing changes while protecting system integrity.
Lead cross-functional integration Coordinate across internal teams including facilities , photonics , electronics , system design engineers , test/validation , packaging , thermal , mechanical , reliability , and other technical leads.
Engage external stakeholders and vendors/partners as needed to ensure interface compatibility, delivery alignment, and integration readiness.
Drive integration readiness reviews , interface alignment, and subsystem bring-up plans.
Own interfaces, trade-offs, and decisions Establish and manage ICDs (Interface Control Documents) , system block diagrams, integration specifications, and dependency maps.
Lead system-level trade studies and decision processes across competing constraints (performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, schedule, facility constraints).
Identify integration risks early and own mitigations, contingencies, and escalation paths.
Build processes that scale Create and continuously improve integration workflows that bring order without slowing innovation (e.g., requirements flow-down, change control, design reviews, configuration management, integration checklists).
Establish clear mechanisms for issue tracking , root-cause analysis , lessons learned , and repeatable test/validation practices.
Help develop an integration culture that balances rigor with startup agility.
Communicate clearly and drive alignment Serve as a central communication hub across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Provide concise updates on architecture status, integration risks, schedule impacts, and decision needs.
Align teams through clear documentation, structured meetings, and effective stakeholder management.