Silicon Photonics Test Engineer

PsiQuantum'smission 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 approachisbased on silicon photonics. Byleveragingthe 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: photonsdon'tfeel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.

In 2024,PsiQuantumannounced 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.

PsiQuantumalso 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. Itrepresentsa fundamental shift-and a path to mastering challenges that cannot besolvedany other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clearpathto make it real.

Come join us.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Silicon Photonics Test Engineer to develop, maintain, and execute automated optical/electrical test systems for wafer-level photonic devices. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with photonics testing, data analysis, and test automation, and a solid understanding of optoelectronic device physics and semiconductor processes.

Responsibilities:

• Design and perform optical and electrical characterization of silicon photonic components (e.g., modulators, detectors, filters, couplers).
• Develop and maintain automated test setups for wafer-level and die-level testing.
• Interface with design, process, and packaging teams to define test requirements, performance metrics, and data formats.
• Analyze large datasets to extract key device parameters and identify performance trends or process drifts.
• Collaborate with software engineers to implement data acquisition and control in Python, MATLAB, or similar frameworks.
• Perform calibration, alignment, and validation of optical test stations.
• Document test methodologies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and support transfer of test processes to production.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of measurement accuracy, throughput, and system reliability.

Experience/Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field.
• 2-5 years of experience in photonics testing or optical characterization (academic or industry).
• Hands-on experience with optical and electrical instrumentation, including power meters, tunable lasers, polarization controllers, photodiodes (PDs), optical vector analyzers, VNAs, SMUs, and optical/electrical switches.
• Proficiency in data analysis and automation scripting, especially in Python.
• Familiarity with semiconductor wafer probing, electrical test systems, and instrumentation control interfaces (e.g., GPIB, VISA, TCP/IP).
• Solid understanding of silicon photonics device physics and integrated optics.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability, strong documentation skills, and effective team collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with wafer-level photonic probing or automated probe stations.
• Knowledge of optical packaging, fiber alignment, and coupling techniques.
• Familiarity with statistical data analysis, yield tracking, and process control methodologies.
• Experience with database systems (e.g., SQL) or automated test data pipelines.
• Experience using version control systems (Git) and implementing CI/CD pipelines for test automation.
• Proficiency with optical simulation tools such as Zemax (or Lumerical/COMSOL).
• Experience developing or maintaining production-grade test management systems.

Key Competencies

• Strong experimental and analytical mindset.
• Excellent cross-disciplinary communication, especially across optical, electrical, and software domains.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced R&D and production environments.

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.