Manager of Process Engineering

PSI Quantum; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

PSI Quantum in Milpitas seeks a Manager/Sr Manager of Process Engineering to lead a team responsible for subassembly development and assembly build. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in Engineering, over 10 years of experience in opto-mechanical assembly, and strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Responsibilities include overseeing design documents, managing budgets, and coordinating with cross-functional teams. The position offers competitive compensation and is pivotal in developing quantum computing systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in opto-mechanical assembly process problems.
• Experience in design, analysis, and assembly of subsystems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of opto-mechanical process engineers.
• Design and develop assembly process flow.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

Skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in Engineering or Applied Physics

Tools

Optical and photonics assembly equipment

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 architecture and approach are based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the 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: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber‑optic infrastructure.

In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government‑funded projects to support the build‑out of our first utility‑scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale.

PsiQuantum also 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—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes‑Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real‑world impact.

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real.

Job Summary

The Manager/Sr Manager of Process Engineering will manage a team of opto‑mechanical process engineers and be responsible for subassembly (SA) development and assembly build, ensuring quality, for RD and volume system integration and deployment at PsiQ QC (quantum computer) sites. This role requires engineering disciplines in packaging, processing, and associated qualifications, a strong "can‑do" attitude in a fast‑paced environment, problem‑solving, and excellent communication with teams across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Work with the packaging engineering team to design and develop assembly process flow, and build subassemblies for QC sub‑systems with electronics and silicon photonics chips on PCBAs for both cryogenic and room temperature vacuum systems.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and suppliers to finalize design and assembly process flow with DFM, DFQ, FMEA tools to meet design targets and requirements by the sub‑system team.
• Deliver and verify equipment, tooling, and fixtures from suppliers with the support of the supply chain; complete process development and buy‑off with process capability analysis and reporting.
• Release design documents, work instructions, and control plans in the systems with change controls; train, audit, and release processes and controls to the operation team for volume assembly build.
• Manage in‑house processes with the Operations team, and manage contractor manufacturing for external processes; provide process technical support.
• Manage budget, capex, hiring per AOP, including associated assembly tools and machines.
• Project‑manage deliverables, execution milestones, and schedule tracking for internal and external suppliers.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience working within small startups and/or large companies managing opto‑mechanical process teams with a proven track record to bring a product to volume (e.g., in datacom, telecom, optical communication industry).
• Demonstrated ability to manage short deadlines and follow a disciplined work process; able to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to build relationships with multiple groups with strong interpersonal and communication skills to work with all levels of the organization, from founders to technicians.
• Lead‑by‑example: a person who leads from the front when all‑hands‑on‑deck situations arise, gets involved in day‑to‑day tasks to assure peak performance and a safe work environment for everyone.

Experience / Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in an applicable engineering discipline, such as Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or Applied Physics.
• 10+ years of experience applying engineering principles to solve complex opto‑mechanical assembly process problems.
• Experienced with optical and photonics assembly and inspection equipment, processes, and material systems (die attach, wire bonding, optical coupling, flip‑chip, underfill, etc.).
• Familiar with key opto‑mechanical packaging and assembly equipment, piece‑part supplier base, and quality system.
• Experience in design, analysis, and assembly of subsystems; build NPI pilot line, transfer process to operation, and support manufacturing; supplier and contract manufacturing management experience is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; self‑starter.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to provide technical leadership in ambiguous situations.
• Strong management skills.

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].

Application Process

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

Salary

U.S. Base Pay Range: $130,000 – $150,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range: $165,000 – $190,000 USD

Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full‑time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.