Photon Source 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:

PsiQuantum is seeking a Photon Sources Engineer to support the development of our rapidly maturing photon sources platform. In this role you will be responsible for exploring long-term strategies to guide the development of photon sources and accompanying technologies, working closely with the rest of the team and other device designers. You will play a fundamental role in the down-selection of future photon source technologies by combining innovative ideas with experimental data and rigorous model closure.

Responsibilities:

• Designing and maintaining the computational tools required for modelling photon-pair sources.
• Model and optimise nonlinear optical systems, validating these models using experimental measurements.
• Collaborate with designers to identify clear paths forward to improved device performance.
• Generate detailed reports based on experimental findings, providing evidence to direct the development roadmap of photon source technologies.
• Designing new experimental techniques used for specialized photon source / material characterization.
• Assess the impact of photon source performance / requirements on the infrastructure of large-scale photonic systems, identifying key technological gaps and how they might be overcome.

Experience/Qualifications:

Experience:

• PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experimental and theoretical background in integrated optics and nonlinear device characterisation.
• Proficiency in Python for experiment automation and data analysis.
• Proficiency in the use COMSOL/Lumerical for the modelling of complex optical systems.
• Hands-on experience with complex optical measurement setups.
• Some experience with fabrication would be useful for influencing design decisions.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of quantum optics and nonlinear optical systems.
• Familiarity with the design-challenges of a photon-generation platform.
• Experience with novel integrated photonic material platforms.
• Experience in leading technical projects.
• Proven experience in computational thinking.
• Proven skill in Applied Physics.
• Experience with Mathematica would be beneficial but is not required.

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 psiquantum.com" target="_blank" data-stringify-link="mailto:View email address on psiquantum.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent"> View email address on psiquantum.com .

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

The ranges 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.

Daresbury, United Kingdom

£60,000—£71,000 GBP