Senior Engineer, System Automation (Device Interfaces)

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:

At PsiQuantum we are developing prototype modules that will scale into a datacenter-sized fault-tolerant quantum computer. These systems depend on photonic and electro-optic devices whose capabilities must be exposed reliably through firmware Python APIs hardware abstraction layers and control software.

This role owns the system-level translation layer between device capabilities and the automation workflows that use them. The engineer will define device interface requirements support modelling and control-stack integration and partner with firmware engineers to migrate performance-sensitive functionality into firmware.

Role Overview

Define validate and integrate device interfaces for photonic/electro-optic systems with a focus on enabling scalable calibration automation monitoring modelling and control workflows.

Why is this role unique

This role shapes how in-house hardware capabilities are exposed and used across the system. It requires actively driving device interfaces from system needs through implementation validation and integration all while working across hardware firmware software system design and test teams.

What success looks like

Success in this role means:

• Clear device interface requirements tied to real system use cases.
• Python-accessible interfaces that integrate cleanly through the hardware abstraction layer and control stack.
• Better system bring-up debugging and integration confidence.
• Improved system automation by migrating more complex functionality into firmware.

Over time this work establishes scalable device interface patterns for reliable automation and repeatable performant calibration workflows.

Responsibilities:

Device Interface Requirements & System Use Case

• Own and drive device interface requirements for photonic/electro-optic devices and related in-house hardware.
• Consolidate inputs from device design calibration automation software firmware and integration teams.
• Translate system-level automation and calibration needs into firmware and control-software requirements.
• Develop a strong understanding of calibration workflows to identify required device capabilities edge cases sequencing needs and operational constraints.
• Drive ambiguous interface needs to closure by resolving requirements tradeoffs and ownership across teams.

Control Stack Integration & Modelling Support

• Partner with software engineers to integrate device interfaces through the control stack.
• Prototype debug and contribute Python code for hardware control automation integration and test workflows.
• Define test requirements to ensure device interfaces are exercised correctly during integration and system testing.
• Debug issues across firmware software and physical devices.
• Support modelling efforts that depend on device behavior capabilities or control workflow assumptions.

Firmware Migration & Performance Optimization

• Identify calibration automation or control functionality that should migrate from Python/control software into firmware or lower-level software.
• Develop prototype implementations to guide migration and verification.
• Partner with firmware engineers during requirement definition and implementation.

Experience/Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• B.S. M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Science Physics Optical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 5 years of relevant experience in systems engineering hardware automation embedded systems controls test/integration scientific software or a related field.
• Strong Python development skills for hardware control automation prototyping debugging integration and test development.
• Experience working hands on with complex hardware systems spanning firmware software and test/integration environments.
• Experience translating system-level use cases into clear software firmware interface or test requirements.
• Proven ability to drive ambiguous technical requirements to closure across multiple engineering teams.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with photonic electro-optic optical RF or related hardware systems.
• Experience defining or using device APIs hardware abstraction layers firmware-exposed interfaces instrument drivers or control-system APIs.
• Experience with calibration workflows automated calibration routines or experimental control systems.
• Familiarity with firmware constraints such as latency determinism bandwidth limits sequencing and real-time behavior.
• Experience with system-level modelling device behavior modelling or hardware/control interface modelling.
• Experience defining integration tests hardware-in-the-loop tests or validation plans for device interfaces.
• Track record of driving alignment across hardware firmware software and test teams.

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) gender identity gender expression national origin ancestry citizenship age physical or mental disability military or veteran status marital status domestic partner status sexual orientation genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

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 .

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