Senior Photonics Automation Engineer Palo Alto, California, United States

About PsiQuantum

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. 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.

Job Summary

We are looking for an energetic, highly motivated Photonic Test Software Engineer responsible for developing and optimizing software systems enabling our wafer and die‑level testing systems. This role will focus particularly on high‑throughput circuit and functional testing for our most advanced photonic ICs.

A successful candidate is expected to have extensive Python experience, with some photonic and electronic testing background. High‑speed (RF, network analyzer) testing is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Define automation program specifications, testing, and development plan.
• Develop and extend software platforms in collaboration with vendors for new testing applications.
• Optimize existing tools.
• Work with data and other teams to deliver complete solutions.

Experience / Qualifications

• Extensive Python testing and test frameworks.
• Wafer‑level testers and test automation.
• Parallel and asynchronous testing.
• Photonic PIC and switch testing systems.
• Databases and data systems highly beneficial.

Compensation

U.S. Base Pay Range: $115,000 - $150,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range: $150,000 - $175,000 USD

EEO Statement

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.