Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer

PSI Quantum; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Equity grants

Wellness tools

Life and disability insurance

Paid leave

Paid holidays

Discretionary time off

Company shutdown

Job summary

PsiQuantum is seeking a Junior Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer to join its cryogenic hardware team in the U.S. You will contribute to design, analysis, testing, and commissioning of cryogenic equipment for quantum computing infrastructure.

The role emphasizes cryostat design, cryogenic distribution systems, and thermal-fluid modeling, with opportunities to work across the full engineering lifecycle alongside senior engineers and cross-functional partners.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical or related field.
• 0–3 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Strong fundamentals in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural mechanics.
• Experience with ANSYS Workbench, SolidWorks, Fluent, SpaceClaim, MATLAB, or Mathcad.
• Ability to perform calculations and document methods clearly.
• Willingness to work analytically and hands-on.

Responsibilities

• Support system-level mechanical and thermal-fluid models.
• Assist cryostat design for quantum infrastructure.
• Help design cryogenic distribution systems linking cryoplants and cryostats.
• Perform mechanical design and calculations under guidance.
• Prepare drawings, models, specs, and docs.
• Support procurement, manufacturing, and vendor discussions.
• Assist testing, data collection, and analysis.
• Support installation and commissioning of cryogenic equipment.
• Help investigate field issues in mechanical/cryogenic systems.
• Participate in design reviews and risk reduction.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams.

Skills

Heat transfer

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Structural mechanics

Engineering calculations

Hands-on engineering

Team collaboration

Education

B.Sc./M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

SolidWorks

Fluent

SpaceClaim

MATLAB

Mathcad

Job description

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 architectureand 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.

That approach has since been tested at the highest level of scrutiny the U.S. government applies to emerging technology, and it has held up. In 2025,PsiQuantumclosed a$1 billionfunding round that valued the company at$7 billion. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a $100 million Letter of Intent under the CHIPS and Science Act, followed by a $125 million agreement with DARPA under Stage C of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative,PsiQuantum'smost valuable U.S. government agreement to date. This year, we also broke ground on our utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane, Australia, and continued building out our Chicago site. Victor Peng, our CEO, and co-founder Jeremy O'Brien, now ExecutiveChairman, lead a team and board that reflects how seriously the world is taking this build, joined this year by Intel's Lip-Bu Tan and Atomico's NiklasZennstrom.

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, includingAirbus,LockheedMartin, 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 now havethe funding,the governmentvalidation, andthe sitesunder construction to make it real.

Job Summary:

The Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer supports the design, analysis, testing, installation, and commissioning of cryogenic equipment and systems that enable PsiQuantum's quantum computing infrastructure.

This role focuses on cryostat design, cryogenic distribution systems, thermal-fluid modeling, thermal-mechanical modeling, mechanical design, and integration of cryogenic hardware.

Working with senior engineers and cross-functional teams, the Junior Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer applies engineering principles in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and materials to support the development of cryostats and distribution systems. The role provides exposure to the full engineering lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and operational troubleshooting.

The ideal candidate has strong engineering fundamentals, curiosity, and a willingness to learn cryogenic mechanical engineering through both analytical and hands-on work.

They are comfortable working under the guidance of experienced engineers while progressively taking ownership of engineering tasks. They can move between mechanical design, engineering analysis, documentation, testing, manufacturing support, and field activities.

Success in this role requires attention to detail, sound engineering judgment, clear communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, facilities, and supplier teams.

Responsibilities:

• Support the development and analysis of system-level mechanical and thermal-fluid models.
• Support the design of cryostats for quantum computer infrastructure.
• Support the design of cryogenic distribution systems connecting cryoplants and cryostats.
• Perform mechanical design, engineering calculations, and component selection under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Prepare and maintain engineering drawings, models, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Support procurement and manufacturing activities for cryogenic equipment.
• Participate in technical discussions with vendors during design, manufacturing, and testing.
• Support laboratory testing, data collection, and analysis of cryogenic equipment and components.
• Support installation and commissioning activities for cryogenic equipment.
• Assist with the investigation and resolution of field issues related to mechanical and cryogenic systems.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to the identification and resolution of technical risks.
• Work within cross-functional project teams through the different phases of product development.

Experience/Qualifications:

• B.SC. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 0-3 years of relevant engineering experience, including internships, academic research, or industry experience.
• Good understanding of fundamental engineering principles, including heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural mechanics.
• Experience with engineering analysis and/or mechanical design tools such as ANSYS Workbench, SolidWorks, Fluent, SpaceClaim, MATLAB, Mathcad, or equivalent tools.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and clearly document assumptions, methods, and results.
• Ability and willingness to work on both analytical and hands-on engineering activities.
• Ability to work effectively with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and handle multiple assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic, internship, research, or industry experience with cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, cryostats, cryocoolers, or cryogenic distribution systems.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), finite difference methods, or thermal-fluid modeling.
• Familiarity with pressure vessels, piping systems, and engineering codes such as ASME BPVC and PED.
• Hands‑on experience with fabrication methods such as machining, welding, brazing, soldering, or forming.
• Hands‑on experience with laboratory testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Experience creating or reviewing mechanical drawings.
• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5.
• Interest in developing practical experience with manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of complex engineering systems.

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 [e-mail].

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

Base pay is one part of the total compensation package. Full-time roles are eligible for equity and benefits.Our compensation ranges reflect the cost of labor across multiple U.S. geographicmarkets, and we pay based on defined geographic zones. This position may be filled withinone of the followingU.S. geographic zones, each with its own salary range.

• Zone 1- Bay Area and NYC
• Zone 2-Examples include LosAngelesandWashington DC
• Zone 3-Examples include Austin, Chicago,and Sacramento
• Zone 4-Examples include Nashville and Phoenix/Tempe and manyremote locations

This position includes the following benefits: competitive health coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) with company match, equity grants, access to financial wellness tools and planning resources, wellness benefits, family support programs, life and disability insurance, paid leave programs, company-designated paid holidays, discretionary time off (DTO), and an end-of-year company shutdown. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements and may vary based on location, role, or employment status. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

The e s timated annual base salary rangefor this role is:

Zone 1

$126,600 — $148,700 USD

Zone 2

$113,900 — $133,800 USD

Zone 3

$101,300 — $119,000 USD

Zone 4

$88,600 — $104,100 USD