Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer - Active Devices and Circuits

PsiQuantum•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

PsiQuantum is seeking an Integrated Photonics Engineer – Active Devices and Circuits to help develop active components and circuits for the world’s first fault- tolerant quantum computer. The hiring level and scope for this role will be calibrated to the selected candidate’s experience and strengths. Candidates with relevant PhD/postdoctoral exposure, as well as those with additional industry experience, are encouraged to apply. The candidate will independently own the design, modeling, testing, characterization, 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
PhD with relevant exposure to integrated photonics and electro-optic devices required
3+ years of industry experience in integrated photonics technologies is strongly preferred
Deep expertise in integrated photonic devices—including both passive and active components—with a strong focus on electro-optic phase shifters and modulators (e.g., in thin-film lithium niobate, BTO, doped silicon, or III-V materials such as InP, GaAs, AlGaAs, InGaAsP)
Experience with high-speed operation (10 GHz bandwidth and beyond) and experimental characterization is a strong plus.
Experience in the design and modeling of photonic and electro-optic components using industry-standard tools such as Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL Multi-physics, 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.
Deep expertise in the characterization of integrated passive and active photonic components
Hands-on experience with high-speed characterization techniques—such as S-parameter measurements, large-signal time-domain analysis of active photonic devices, and assembly-level characterization—is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, VNAs, high-speed probes, and related RF/photonic test setups is a strong plus.
Proficient in programming languages 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

Candidates with relevant PhD/postdoctoral exposure, as well as those with additional industry experience, are encouraged to apply.
Experience with high-speed operation (10 GHz bandwidth and beyond) and experimental characterization is a strong plus.
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.
Understanding or hands on experience with photonic packaging is a plus.
Understanding of photonic-electronic interfaces (drivers, TIAs, etc.) is a plus.
Hands-on experience with high-speed characterization techniques—such as S-parameter measurements, large-signal time-domain analysis of active photonic devices, and assembly-level characterization—is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, VNAs, high-speed probes, and related RF/photonic test setups 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 such as packaging teams and electronic driver designers
Collaborate with dedicated test and lab teams to Plan and execute automated high-volume tests
Develop new test methods when needed
Develop and implement new analysis methods as necessary
Analyze measurement data and interpret analysis results to understand and improve components and circuits
Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to build, test, and characterize high-performance photonic chips and assemblies, including assembly-level characterization of builds that integrate photonic circuits, PCBs, drivers, and related hardware.
Mentor junior staff members