Principal Photonics Design Methodology Engineer
Palo Alto, CA - USA
Job Summary
PsiQuantumsmission is to build the first useful quantum computersmachines 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 approachisbased on silicon photonics. Byleveragingthe advanced semiconductor manufacturing industryincluding partners like GlobalFoundrieswe use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photonsdontfeel heat are immune to electromagnetic interference and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.
In 2024PsiQuantumannounced 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 definingand that now is the time to scale.
PsiQuantumalso develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application software and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companiesincluding Lockheed Martin Mercedes-Benz Boehringer Ingelheim and Mitsubishi Chemicalto prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact.
Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. Itrepresentsa fundamental shiftand a path to mastering challenges that cannot besolvedany other way. The potential is enormous and we have a clearpathto make it real.
Come join us.
Job Summary:
Quantum computing promises to solve many important problems that could never be solved on any conventional computer. At PsiQuantum were building a general-purpose silicon photonic quantum computer to tackle these very problems.
PsiQuantum is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Principal Photonics Design Methodology Engineer to serve as the technical owner/approver/trainer of our silicon development toolchain while driving internal education and enablement across the IC chipset design implementation and verification organization. This individual contributor role governs approved EDA tool versions internal automation frameworks and flow releases to ensure reproducibility and tapeout integrity while also leading structured training onboarding and documentation initiatives that increase internal adoption improve efficiency and reduce tapeout errors. The role combines deep hands-on methodology expertise with a passion for knowledge transferensuring that designers and verification engineers not only use the right tools and flows but understand them deeply enough to execute predictably efficiently and at scale.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary technical educator for tools flows and methodology updates.
- Validate and release approve EDA tool versions PDKs and internal automation frameworks.
- Maintain golden tool environments establish best practices for methodologies and tools and flow baselines per project milestone.
- Establish and document configuration management version tagging and rollback procedures.
- Develop and maintain clear structured methodology documentation and best-practice guides.
- Create and deliver internal training programs workshops and onboarding curricula.
- Partner with Design Implementation Verification DFT and IT teams to resolve tool and flow issues
- Support tapeout readiness reviews and ensure environment reproducibility
Experience/Qualifications:
- Bachelors/Masters/PhD or other advanced degrees in Photonics Physics EE Computer Science or related engineering fields.
- 8 years of experience in semiconductor design implementation or verification environments.
- Experience in supporting multiple tapeouts.
- Demonstrated ability to create technical documentation and deliver structured training.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.
- Experience managing EDA tool upgrades and validation processes.
- Experience with instrument drivers and automation and complex multi-instrument measurement systems.
- Domain knowledge: expert level coder in Python.
- Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments sites time zones.
- Strong critical thinking creative innovative analytical and detail-oriented problem-solving skills.
- Proven track record of impactful results.
- Ability to work independently with limited direction.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and juggle multiple priorities and deliver against a schedule.
- Demonstrated interest in quantum computing
- Ability to contribute to a fast-paced start-up environment.
Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to .
We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.
The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ Palo Alto) the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ Palo Alto). If there is only one range it is for the specific location of where the position will be located.Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidates qualifications including relevant education and training competencies experience geographic location and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
U.S. Base Pay Range
$230000 - $245000 USD
Bay Area Pay Range
$245000 - $255000 USD
Required Experience:
Staff IC