Senior Photonic Engineer – Experimentalist

Xanadu; Toronto; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Xanadu in Canada seeks a Senior Photonic Engineer – Experimentalist to design, develop and validate cutting-edge photonic systems. Your focus will be integrated photonics and precise characterization of photonic chips with fast electro‑optic elements.

You will collaborate with PIC development, electrical, mechanical and software teams to ensure successful module integration, perform precise optical measurements and generate detailed documentation and test procedures.

Qualifications

• Laboratory proficiency with RF and opto-electronic equipment and complex optical experiments.
• Understanding of optical phase-locking techniques and phase/noise characterization.
• Solid RF electronics knowledge and data analysis skills.
• Proficiency in Python for data acquisition and analysis.
• Strong modeling and analytical abilities with mathematical tools.
• MSc/PhD in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO, or Electrical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and upgrade optical experiments to characterize photonic chips with electro-optic elements.
• Perform precise optical measurements of PICs and benchmark opto-electronic systems.
• Implement and maintain optical phase locks and calibration protocols.
• Collaborate with PIC, electrical, mechanical and software teams for integration.
• Generate detailed design specifications, test procedures and reports.

Skills

Python

Optical measurements

Phase-locking

RF electronics

Data analysis

Education

MSc/PhD in Quantum Optics or related field

Tools

Oscilloscope

Spectrum analyzer

Photodiodes

Phase-locking equipment

Job description

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:

We are seeking a Senior Photonic Engineer – Experimentalist to participate in designing, developing and experimentally validating cutting‑edge photonic systems. Your primary focus will be working with integrated photonics, and precise characterization of the performance of complex photonic chips with several types of high‑speed integrated electro‑optic elements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, build and upgrade complex optical laboratory experiments to characterize the performance of photonic integrated chips with electro‑optic elements, using continuous‑wave and pulsed laser light.


• Perform precise optical measurements of PICs with networks of fast integrated electro‑optic modulators; troubleshoot and benchmark opto‑electronic systems for stability, noise reduction, and performance optimization, with attention to properties including switching speed, stability, crosstalk, polarization dependence, etc.


• Implement and maintain optical phase locks and related frequency/phase stabilization; contribute to the development and assessment of new phase‑locking and calibration protocols.


• Closely collaborate with PIC development, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering teams to ensure successful module integration.


• Generate detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, characterization reports, and operational manuals.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• Laboratory proficiency: Demonstrated working knowledge of common laboratory RF and opto‑electronic equipment (e.g. oscilloscope, signal generator, spectrum analyzer, photodiodes); the ability to build and troubleshoot complex optical experiments in a laboratory setting.


• Optics expertise: Demonstrated understanding of optical phase‑locking techniques, strategies to characterize phase noise and polarization noise in optical fibres and on complex photonic chips, and a conceptual understanding of balanced homodyne detection.


• Electronics: A solid understanding of basic RF electronics, opto‑electronic detector & electro‑optic modulator concepts.


• Programming skills: Python or similar for data acquisition and analysis.


• Modeling & Analytical Skills: Proven ability to build mathematical models of physical systems utilizing both analytical and numerical tools.


• Education: M.Sc./Ph.D. degree in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field. Laboratory research experience in academia or industry.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• Prior work experience: In quantum computing (particularly in optical quantum computing); with thin‑film lithium niobate modulators; with co‑packaged optical systems.


• Autonomy and technical adaptability: The ability to independently design, build, and troubleshoot complex optical experiments and clearly communicate measurement‑derived insights; the ability to rapidly absorb complex, proprietary architectures and master new experimental frameworks.


• Advanced Automation: Experience writing Python scripts for instrument control, hardware interfacing, and automated data acquisition.


• Advanced concepts: Expertise in balanced homodyne detection (c.w. or pulsed), laser noise characterization techniques (phase/frequency, RIN), advanced laser interferometry (Pound‑Drever‑Hall locking, locking/control theory), optical pulse shaping with IQ modulators and AWGs.


• Education: Ph.D. in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 130,000 - 180,000 CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier‑free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at [e-mail].

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.