Senior Active Photonics Engineer

PsiQuantum • Palo Alto, CA

124d • $150,000 - $185,000

About The Position

PsiQuantum is seeking a Sr. Active Photonics R&D Engineer to help develop active components and circuits for the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The candidate will independently own the design, modeling, testing, and data analysis of active photonic devices and circuits. The Photonics Engineer will collaborate closely with teams across PsiQuantum—including electronics, manufacturing, test, packaging, and system validation—to achieve these goals. A successful candidate is expected to have hands-on experience and knowledge in active photonic technologies such as electro-optic phase shifters, switches, modulators, and related components.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of industrial experience in integrated photonics technologies.
• Deep expertise in integrated photonic devices—including both passive and active components—with a strong focus on electro-optic phase shifters and modulators.
• Experience in the design and modeling of photonic and electro-optic components using industry-standard tools such as Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL Multiphysics, Meep, etc.
• Knowledge in modeling of photonic circuits (e.g using Lumerical Interconnect or SAX) is a plus.
• Knowledge RF concepts, signal integrity and experience with simulation tools such as HFSS and ADS is a plus.
• Experience with photonic tapeouts and understanding of the foundry process.
• Photonic layout experience (using e.g. IPKISS, GDSFactory, etc.).
• Understanding or hands on experience with photonic packaging is a plus.
• Understanding of photonic-electronic interfaces (drivers, TIAs, etc.) is a plus.
• Proficient in programming language such as Python and Matlab.
• Strong data analysis skills, including visualization and making data-driven design decisions.
• Collaborative in a multi-disciplinary startup environment.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Experience in project planning and management.
• Proven team player with an ability to work with local and remote team members.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to various audiences.
• Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail oriented problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with high-speed operation (10 GHz bandwidth and beyond) is a strong plus.
• Knowledge in modeling of photonic circuits (e.g using Lumerical Interconnect or SAX) is a plus.
• Understanding or hands on experience with photonic packaging is a plus.
• Familiarity with high-speed characterization techniques—such as S-parameter measurements and large-signal time-domain analysis of active photonic devices—is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize novel integrated photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits for quantum computing.
• Take a leading role in photonic tapeouts, including hands-on layout, DOE and circuit design, planning, and interfacing with stakeholders (e.g., packaging teams or electronic driver designers).
• Collaborate with our dedicated test team to plan and execute automated high-volume tests.
• Develop new test methods when needed.
• Work with assembly test engineers to help plan and execute assembly-level characterization.
• Analyze measurement data and interpret analysis results to understand and improve components and circuits.
• Develop and implement new analysis methods as necessary.
• Collaborate with photonic engineers, test engineers, materials scientists, electronic engineers, process engineers, and packaging engineers to build and characterize high-performance photonic chips and assemblies.
• Mentor junior staff members.

Benefits

• Equity and benefits package.
• Full-time roles are eligible for equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees