Senior Scientist - Quantum Sources

Xanadu; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Xanadu is seeking a Senior Scientist - Quantum Sources to advance photonic modules for large-scale quantum systems. You will transform bare photonic chips into deployable hardware, leading integration and validation of quantum source modules with active interferometers and high extinction ratio filters.

You will collaborate with PIC designers and engineering teams to define interfaces, optimize control strategies, and document module specifications for system-level handoffs.

Qualifications

• PhD in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO, Applied Physics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience in experimental optics labs with integrated optics and fiber optics.
• Experience generating and characterizing non-classical light (squeezed states, multi-photon) and homodyne detection.
• Experience with active stabilization of optical phases and PID controllers.
• Experience writing Python scripts for instrument control and data acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Lead assembly, integration, and validation of quantum source modules.
• Characterize generation of advanced quantum states with integrated squeezers and active routing.
• Collaborate with PIC designers, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers to define module interfaces.
• Develop and optimize control strategies for optical components and stabilize interferometric networks.
• Provide measurement-driven feedback to PIC design and component testing teams.
• Create detailed technical documentation and handoffs for system-level deployment.

Skills

Experimental optics

Integrated optics

Fiber optics

Optical state generation

Multi-path interference

Quantum state characterization

Homodyne detection

Active stabilization

PID controllers

Python scripting

Education

Ph.D. in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO, Applied Physics, or related field

Tools

Control electronics

Python

Job description

About Xanadu:

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 Scientist - Quantum Sources to contribute to the physical implementation and integration of cutting‑edge photonic modules for large-scale quantum systems. You will be working with highly complex photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that include networks of active interferometers, squeezers, and on‑chip high extinction ratio filters. Your primary focus will be transforming these foundational chips into robust, fully characterized quantum source modules, bridging the gap between component‑level design and system‑level deployment.

• Lead the assembly, integration, and experimental validation of quantum source modules, driving the transition of bare photonic chips into deployable hardware for large-scale demonstrators.
• Characterize and benchmark the generation of advanced quantum states utilizing integrated squeezers and active routing. Measure key figures of merit including squeezing levels, modal purity, optical losses, and filter rejection ratios.
• Act as the vital technical bridge across hardware disciplines. Collaborate deeply with PIC designers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and systems engineers to define module interfaces, troubleshoot integration bottlenecks, and ensure seamless system operation.
• Implement and optimize complex control strategies for integrated optical components. Interface directly with custom control electronics to actively stabilize interferometric networks and tune high extinction ratio filters to exacting tolerances.
• Provide measurement-driven feedback to the PIC design and component testing teams, utilizing insights from module‑level performance to drive the architecture of next‑generation chips.
• Generate detailed technical documentation, including integration procedures, module specifications, characterization reports, and operational manuals for system‑level handoffs.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• Optics expertise: Hands‑on experimental optics lab experience, with deep knowledge in integrated optics, fiber optics, optical state generation, and multi‑path optical interference.
• Quantum Sources: Direct experience generating, manipulating, and characterizing non‑classical light (e.g., squeezed states, multi‑photon states, homodyne detection) in an experimental setting.
• Systems & Electronics: Working familiarity with active stabilization of optical phases, PID controllers, and the control electronics required to drive complex photonic chips.
• Education: Ph.D. in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO, Applied Physics, or a closely related field.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• Prior work experience: >4 years in experimental quantum computing (particularly in optical quantum computing), dealing with complex, multi‑component photonic architectures.
• Advanced Integration: A proven track record of bringing together disparate technologies, such as packaging or integrating optical chips into larger systems, including managing fiber‑to‑chip coupling and electronic‑photonic co‑packaging constraints.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative engineering environments, effectively speaking the language of mechanical, electrical, and systems teams to solve multi‑disciplinary problems.
• Autonomy and technical adaptability: The ability to independently design, build, and troubleshoot complex optical tests and rapidly absorb complex, proprietary architectures.
• Advanced Automation: Experience writing Python scripts for instrument control, hardware interfacing, and automated data acquisition.
• Component Expertise: Deep understanding of ultra‑high extinction ratio optical filtering techniques and integrated non‑linear parametric processes.

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 140,000 - 190,000 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.

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.