Applications Engineer- Photonics

QCi; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering photonics technology company in Santa Barbara is seeking an Applications Engineer to support its Photonics Division. This role involves a blend of lab development and field engagement, focusing on customer interaction and technical support. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and over 5 years of experience in photonics or related fields. The position is primarily on-site with some domestic travel required for showcasing technology. Strong communication and technical skills are essential for building customer relationships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in photonics, semiconductor lasers, or optical sensing hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to secure design wins within complex technical sales cycles.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue high-value applications in lasers and photonic devices.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for sales staff.
• Provide expert on-site assistance for customer implementation and troubleshooting.

Skills

Hands-on experience in photonics

Strong fluency in semiconductor laser physics

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Ability to influence technical stakeholders

Self-starter driving projects independently

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

Applications Engineer, Photonics

About Us

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) (Nasdaq: QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. QCi products are designed to operate at room temperature and low power at an affordable cost. The Company’s portfolio of core technology and products offer unique capabilities in the areas of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cyber security as well as remote sensing applications.

Position Description

QCi is seeking a high-caliber Applications Engineer to support our Photonics Division. This role combines laboratory development with high-impact field engagement. You will spend approximately 70% of your time at our Santa Barbara facility, split between the lab—developing proof‑of‑concept demonstrations—and the office, providing technical support to new and existing customers. The remaining 30% of your time will involve domestic travel to customer sites and trade shows to showcase our technology and secure critical design wins. The ideal candidate possesses a sophisticated balance of technical expertise in photonic principles, hands‑on hardware/software integration skills, and the professional soft skills necessary to cultivate long‑term customer relationships and brand trust.

Duties and Responsibilities

Application Identification and Demonstration

• Market Growth: Identify and pursue high-value applications and programs in lasers, photonic devices, and optical sensing systems.
• Consultative Discovery: Extract and synthesize technical requirements from potential customers to provide tailored guidance on QCi‑based photonic solutions.
• Systems Engineering: Design, construct, and characterize hardware testbeds and system‑level demonstrations that mirror real‑world customer environments.
• Benchmarking: Quantify and document the performance advantages of QCi photonics products against incumbent technologies.
• Technical Content: Author high‑quality application notes, whitepapers, and technical documentation to educate the market on specific use cases.
• Thought Leadership: Present validated application results to internal peers, customers, and the broader scientific community through industry publications.
• Trend Analysis: Research emerging technology sectors to identify "blue ocean" opportunities for QCi hardware insertion.

Sales and Customer Support

• Technical Liaison: Serve as the primary technical resource for sales staff regarding product specifications, performance limits, and usage.
• Strategic Engagement: Join sales leadership in high‑stakes customer meetings to provide deep technical credibility.
• Deployment Support: Provide expert on‑site assistance for customer bring‑up, system implementation, and complex troubleshooting.
• Collaborative Design: Lead technical brainstorming sessions with customers to map QCi capabilities to their unique mission requirements.
• Feedback Loop: Maintain an active bug tracker and feature request list, coordinating with the Engineering team to prioritize fixes and future product enhancement.

Required Skills and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on experience in photonics, semiconductor lasers, optoelectronics, or optical sensing hardware.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated ability to secure design wins within complex technical sales cycles.
• Technical Depth: Strong fluency in semiconductor laser physics and integrated photonic components.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence technical stakeholders and executives alike.
• Autonomy: A self‑starter capable of driving projects independently while maintaining seamless integration with the broader team.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above. Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.