Company Overview  

Quantum computing promises to be the most profoundly world changing technology uncovered to date—it is exponentially more than just ‘faster computing’, making possible what would otherwise forever remain impossible. With applications across climate, energy, healthcare, industry, high tech and government, quantum computing will tackle some of our most urgent practical challenges we face, as well as delivering entirely new industries. 

The only outstanding question is how to realize this technology—a question that PsiQuantum has uniquely answered. PsiQuantum understands that if you want a useful quantum computer, you need fault tolerance and error correction, and therefore ~1,000,000 physical qubits. There may be a million ways to make a qubit, but there’s only one way to make a million qubits: silicon photonics. 

While all the other (matter-based) approaches start with a quantum process and try to make it scale, PsiQuantum started with an existing scalable manufacturing process and figured out how to make it quantum. That existing process is the culmination of more than a half a century of development and a trillion dollars of investment— the semiconductor industry. Consequently, we are uniquely on a path to deliver world-changing quantum computing in just a few short years. 

We were founded by the world’s foremost experts in photonic quantum computing and we’ve assembled a world class team, with top notch investors and advisors. It’s no accident that we are based in Silicon Valley, where the semiconductor and silicon photonic industries were born and built into mature industries with highly scalable, reliable, and cost-effective processes to leverage.

Position Summary:

The Optical Systems Engineer drives and supports design, development and validation of optical systems and sub-systems.   This engineer works with the Systems Engineering leadership team to derive detailed design from high level architecture / design, drives sub-system prototype assembly and test, and leads integration of Software and Hardware Optical Systems for the validation of complete working systems and platforms.

Qualifications:

Requirements

1. Sc or MS in Physics, Optical or Electrical Engineering
2. 5+ years of relevant work or academic research experience including Python automation scripting, optical systems integration & test, hands on lab work
3. Familiarity with and experience in using lab test equipment including optical systems
4. Experience with driving requirements for sophisticated automated test systems for engineering validation and commissioning
5. Experience working with instrumentation used in the photonics and/or the electronics industry; experience with software controls in Python
6. Experience working in an R&D environment
7. Strong organizational skills, excellent communication skills, attention to detail and ability to multitask
8. Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail oriented problem-solving skill
9. Ability to work independently with limited direction

Preferred Skills & Experience:

1. Automated test experience (electrical and optical)
2. Experience implementing DVT – Design Verification Tests, involving an integration of Hardware and Software
3. Knowledge, expertise and experience with optical transmission systems, laser sources, optical fiber to die coupling technologies
4. Fusion splicing
5. Fiber amplifier / laser characterization / optimization
6. Familiarity with ultrafast laser systems

Tasks, Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Develop detailed design and specifications for optical sub-systems, including key components/instrumentation
2. Develop and document requirements for Control SW development to enable optical sub-system integration & validation. This may include compact models, theory of operations, GUI, and test plans.
3. Drive Optical System-level experimental validation and and documentation
4. Interface with both the Control SW and HW Systems teams to drive integration and test of SW and HW to deliver overall system that performs defined functions; including documentation of bugs, bug fixes, and overall test case execution
5. Work with cross-functional teams to execute debug tests for software and hardware control systems
6. Python scripting, calling Controls SW APIs / drivers to control lab equipment and proprietary systems
7. Write and maintain documentation for control systems tools
8. Work with architecture, design and experimental teams to clearly outline requirements for next generation control systems.  Lead the design, development, and qualification of control systems to meet these requirements
9. Lab work involving fiber splicing, fiber array attachments, fiber amplifier, laser characterization / optimization, among others
10. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned