PsiQuantum · 3 months ago
Senior Active Photonics Engineer
Palo Alto, California, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$150K/yr - $202K/yr
3+ years expPsiQuantum is on a mission to build the first real, useful quantum computers. The Senior Active Photonics Engineer will independently own the design, modeling, testing, and data analysis of active photonic devices and circuits, collaborating closely with various teams to achieve these goals.
ComputerHardwareQuantum ComputingSemiconductorSoftware
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
Qualification
Required
MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering, or related discipline
Minimum 3+ years of industrial experience (this does not include academic 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 (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) 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 leading 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
This role does not involve hands-on experimental work, but it does require deep expertise in the characterization of integrated passive and active photonic components
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
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
Benefits
Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits.
Company
PsiQuantum
PsiQuantum focuses on developing a scalable quantum computer using photonic qubits.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
PsiQuantum has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (12)
2024 (10)
2023 (4)
2022 (7)
2021 (15)
2020 (5)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$2.3BKey Investors
OGBC GroupBaillie Gifford,BlackRock,Temasek HoldingsAustralian Government,Queensland Government
2026-01-21Series Unknown
2025-09-10Series E· $1B
2025-05-30Series Unknown· $22M
Leadership Team
Peter Shadbolt
Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Recent News
StartupMafia - News from startup industry -
2026-02-02
Company data provided by crunchbase