Optical Architect (Design)

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:Our optical architecture team sits at the interface of hardware development and manufacturing, and the quantum architecture to design the first utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer. Its primary mission is to develop and then translate abstract quantum protocols to specifications of hardware systems, including strategies for qubit networking and detailed quantum performance modelling. We are looking for an optical architect to join the team in an individual contributor role that will involve close collaboration with all of PsiQuantum’s technical teams with a focus on analysis, evaluation and improvement of architectural design.Responsibilities:Design functionality and determine requirements for quantum optical aspects of the full system architecture.Build predictive models and perform analysis of architectural performance across multiple system views.Develop methodologies for evaluating implementation concepts and determining their feasibility.Work closely with photonics, systems and architecture teams to capture a consistent, data-driven description of the optical system architecture.Experience/Qualifications:Master’s degree or equivalent in EE, Physics, Computer Science or related field. PhD with a focus on quantum computation theory or quantum photonics preferred.3+ years of relevant academic or industry research experience in quantum computing or quantum information.Knowledge of linear optical quantum computing and quantum optics preferred. Familiarity with error modelling, quantum networks and quantum error-correcting codes strongly preferred.Ability to work across domains and collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary technical teams across sites & timezones.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 are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.The range below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. 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 USD