Senior R&D Engineer, Photon Detector Model and Design

Описание вакансии

PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines 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 approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. 

In 2024, PsiQuantum announced 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 defining—and that now is the time to scale. 

PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact. 

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. 

Come join us. 

Job Summary:

The Detector Design Team develops high-performance photon-number-resolving detectors, with a strong emphasis on device architecture, layout, and system-level integration. Detector performance is governed by the physical design of the signal path, materials, and cryogenic electrical readout and control, requiring careful translation of underlying physical models into robust layouts and circuits. The team leads detector design and physics-based simulation, and works closely with fabrication and test owners to develop new detector technologies and to plan and execute experimental characterization. We operate in rapid learning cycles of design → simulation → fabrication → measurement → model-driven analysis → next design.

The successful candidate will lead key aspects of detector design and layout optimization, focusing on physics-informed modeling, simulation, and data analysis of high-speed superconducting and cryogenic systems, and on using experimental results to validate and refine physical models that guide subsequent designs.

Responsibilities:

• Strong background in programming to build data analysis infrastructure and detector design layout.
• Drive superconducting model-experimental closure by mapping superconducting model & simulation results to experimental data, incl. error analysis.
• Development of physics-based and electronic predictive models of the detectors.
• Superconducting detectors design.
• Performing data analysis and development data analysis algorithms.
• Collaboration with experimental, design, process, photonics, and systems teams to understand the design and system-level constraints.
• Continuous survey of literature on superconducting detectors.

Experience/Qualifications:

• PHD in physics, engineering, other relevant.
• 3+ years post doc or other RnD experience.
• Strong programming experience in python.

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 recruiting@psiquantum.com.

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 candidate's 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

$160,000—$180,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range

$190,000—$208,000 USD