Layout Verification / PEX Engineer

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 PsiQuantum Foundry Engineering team develops and supports a silicon photonics technology platform in collaboration with our development partners. This work includes enabling new materials, process modules, and technology capabilities required to support PsiQuantum’s product development roadmap for a commercially useful quantum computer.The Layout Verification / Parasitic Extraction Engineer will support the physical and electrical verification of photonic integrated circuits within PsiQuantum’s silicon photonics technology platform. This role will focus on validating the electrical routing associated with photonic circuits, including routing for photonic devices, bias lines, heaters, phase shifters, modulators, monitor structures, control signals, and electrical I/O interfaces.This is a hands-on execution role suited for a detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable working with EDA tools. The engineer will run established DRC, LVS, ERC, antenna, density, and parasitic extraction flows; review verification reports; generate extracted outputs; and work with layout and design engineers to identify and resolve layout verification issues prior to tapeout.Responsibilities:Run established DRC, LVS, ERC, antenna, density, and parasitic extraction flows using existing scripts, runsets, and foundry PDK decks.Validate electrical routing in photonic integrated circuit layouts, including routing for photonic devices, bias lines, heaters, phase shifters, modulators, monitor structures, control signals, and electrical I/O interfaces.Generate extracted netlists and extracted views for post-layout electrical simulation.Maintain organized logs, reports, run directories, and status trackers.Support block-level and chip-level verification activities prior to tapeout.Experience/Qualifications:Required qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Microelectronics, or related field, or equivalent experience.Basic knowledge of IC layout and physical verification concepts.Exposure to DRC, LVS, or parasitic extraction.Familiarity with Linux or Unix environments.Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established procedures.Good communication and documentation skills.Demonstrated interest in quantum computing.Ability to contribute in a fast-moving start-up environment.Preferred qualifications:Exposure to analog/mixed-signal ICs, or custom IC layout.Experience with Cadence Virtuoso, Siemens Calibre, Cadence Pegasus/PVS, Cadence Quantus, and similar EDA tools.Familiarity with post-layout simulation flows and extracted netlists.Basic scripting experience in Python.Exposure to silicon photonics, photonic integrated circuits, or optoelectronics.Demonstrated interest in quantum computing, silicon photonics, or advanced semiconductor technology.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 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 $110,000—$150,000 USDBay Area Pay Range $150,000—$170,000 USD