Quantum Architect, Fault-Tolerance

Quantum Architect

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:

Quantum architects drive research and development of photonic quantum computing architectures, from entanglement generation through to encoded logic and error correction. The focus of this role is to develop fault-tolerant techniques for fusion-based quantum computation and entangled state generation with native photonic operations that perform well under a linear optical error model. Candidates in this role will work at the interface of optical architecture and fault tolerance. Simulations and analysis will be performed with PsiQuantum's internal software, so competent use of Python is required to use and contribute to the development of these tools as needed. Candidates should have a strong background in fault-tolerant quantum computing and/or linear optical quantum computing. Competence in programming using Python (or similar) is desirable.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop new fault-tolerance protocols for fusion-based quantum computation and entangled state generation.
• Model the origin and propagation of errors.
• Simulate and benchmark different protocols.
• Co-develop the architecture in collaboration with the wider team, communicating results.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Degree in Physics, Math or Computer Science or equivalent required. PhD in Physics, Math or Computer Science, with a focus on quantum information theory or quantum computation preferred.
• 3+ years of relevant academic or industry research experience in quantum error correction and/or linear optical quantum computing.
• Knowledge of quantum information required. Familiarity with quantum error-correction, linear optical quantum computing, error modeling, graphical calculus (e.g., tensor networks, ZX calculus), quantum networks, quantum graph states strongly preferred.
• Creativity in developing new methods for quantum information processing.
• Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments, sites, and time zones.
• Ability to work independently and contribute in fast-moving start-up environment.
• Experience programming in Python, C++ or similar languages is desirable.
• Competent use of collaborative software development tools (e.g., GitHub) is desirable.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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 $120,000 —$140,000 USD Bay Area Pay Range $155,000 —$170,000 USD