Engineering Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation

PsiQuantum; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

PsiQuantum is seeking an Engineering Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation in Milpitas, CA to lead a team validating photonics hardware integral to our quantum platform. You will own end-to-end verification, develop repeatable test methods, and drive root-cause analysis with cross-functional partners.

The role combines people leadership with deep technical oversight, covering optical/electro-optical subassemblies, RF readout chains, and PIC integration toward manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, photonics, or a related field.
• 8+ years in optical/electro-optical hardware characterization and test; 2+ years in people management.
• Strong silicon photonics, optical systems knowledge and test equipment.
• Experience with Python or MATLAB data analysis and reproducible results.

Responsibilities

• Lead, hire, and grow a photonics hardware validation team and set priorities.
• Own characterization, verification, and validation plans from bring-up to manufacturing transfer.
• Establish repeatable measurement methods, calibration, and test documentation.
• Drive debugging, failure analysis, root-cause investigations, and risk communication.
• Review designs across optical, electrical, firmware, software, packaging, and thermal domains.
• Translate requirements into measurable acceptance criteria and traceability.
• Partner with operations to define test methods for production units.
• Manage schedules, capacity, equipment needs, and cross-functional dependencies.

Skills

People management

Optical testing

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Test planning

Python

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/Physics/Optics

Master's or PhD (nice to have)

Tools

RF instrumentation

LNAs

Bias tees

Baluns

Optical test equipment

Job description

Engineering Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation at PsiQuantum, Milpitas, California. A mid-level full time position in the 4565 - SubSystem Validation team, listed under hardware engineering.

Come join us.

Job Summary

Lead the team responsible for validating the photonics hardware at the heart of our quantum computing platform.

The Engineering Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation owns the characterization, verification, validation, performance classification, and failure analysis of electro-optical subassemblies integrated with custom photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The primary focus of this role is the validation of single-photon sources and detectors, including the associated RF signal readout chain. This role leads validation strategy and execution from proof-of-concept test methodologies and early hardware bring-up through qualification and manufacturing readiness.

You will combine people leadership with strong technical oversight, partnering with photonics design, electrical, mechanical, packaging, firmware, software, systems, product engineering, and manufacturing teams to verify requirements, resolve hardware issues, and provide clear evidence of design and manufacturing readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead, hire, and grow a photonics hardware validation team; define technical ownership, priorities, staffing plans, and career development opportunities.
• Own comprehensive characterization, verification, and validation plans for photonic modules and electro-optical subassemblies, from initial hardware bring-up through qualification and manufacturing transfer.
• Establish repeatable measurement methods, calibration practices, uncertainty analysis, experimental designs, data-review processes, and configuration-controlled test documentation.
• Drive cross-functional debugging, failure analysis, and root-cause investigations; verify corrective actions and clearly communicate residual risks and recommended next steps.
• Review integrated optical, electrical, firmware, software, packaging, and thermal designs; identify critical measurements and influence design-for-testability and validation access.
• Translate system and component requirements into measurable acceptance criteria, requirements-to-test traceability, test coverage, and validation reports.
• Partner with operations teams to define test methods for production units.
• Manage validation schedules, laboratory capacity, equipment needs, and cross-functional dependencies; provide regular execution summaries, validation reports, yield indications, and readiness assessments to stakeholders.
• Promote safe laboratory practices and effective handling of lasers, optical equipment, RF instrumentation, and sensitive devices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, photonics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 or more years of industry experience relevant to optical and electro-optical hardware characterization, validation, and test, including 2 or more years of people management or demonstrated technical and team leadership.
• Strong foundation in silicon photonics, optical systems, and electro-optical characterization, including insertion loss, return loss, and hands-on use of optical test equipment.
• Hands-on expertise with optical and RF laboratory instrumentation and RF readout electronics such as LNAs, bias tees, and baluns, including measurement uncertainty and quantitative troubleshooting.
• Proven record leading cross-functional hardware validation and failure analysis, including hardware bring-up, requirements-based test planning, issue closure, and qualification.
• Experience in data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or comparable environments, with an emphasis on reproducible and traceable results.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical decisions, manage competing priorities, and communicate complex engineering issues clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers, develop technical leads, and establish repeatable validation practices.

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
• Experience with single-photon detection, low-noise RF readout chains, and characterization of low-level optical and electrical signals.
• Experience with wafer-level or packaged-device characterization, PIC integration, and design-for-test methodologies for photonic hardware.
• Experience with reliability qualification, statistical analysis, design of experiments, and production yield improvement.
• Experience testing in cryogenic environments or validating photonics hardware for quantum computing applications, including thermo-mechanical stress.