Photonics Layout Engineer: PIC Tapeouts & Automation

PSI Quantum; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage and wellness benefits

401(k) with company match

Equity grants

Paid time off and holidays

Wellness programs

Life and disability insurance

Paid parental leave

Dental and vision benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

PsiQuantum is building a general-purpose silicon photonic quantum computer. We seek a Photonic Layout Engineer to design, layout, and verify photonic integrated circuits for foundry fabrication.

You’ll work across hardware and design enablement teams, translating photonic designs into manufacturable layouts using Python-based and commercial tools. Ideal candidates have hands-on PIC layout experience, familiarity with GDSFactory/Synopsys/Cadence, and a strong grasp of silicon photonics

Qualifications

• Experience creating layouts for photonic integrated circuits and mapping to physical layouts.
• Experience with photonic layout tools such as GDSFactory, Synopsys, Cadence, or similar.
• Strong Python programming skills for layout generation and automation.
• Experience with Git and collaborative development workflows.
• Knowledge of silicon photonic manufacturing processes and tapeout workflows.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, sites, and time zones.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and detail-oriented problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain photonic layouts from components to complex circuits.
• Drive foundry tapeouts from layouts to verification (DRC/LVS, fill, density).
• Develop and maintain layout infrastructure and automation tools.
• Contribute to PDK development by implementing layout components and rules.
• Prepare clear documentation and handoff materials for tapeouts.

Skills

Photonic layout

GDSFactory

Python scripting

Git

Silicon photonics

Cross‑functional teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Master's or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics

Tools

Synopsys

Cadence Photonics

GDSFactory

Job description

PsiQuantum is building a general-purpose silicon photonic quantum computer. We seek a Photonic Layout Engineer to design, layout, and verify photonic integrated circuits for foundry fabrication.

You’ll work across hardware and design enablement teams, translating photonic designs into manufacturable layouts using Python-based and commercial tools. Ideal candidates have hands-on PIC layout experience, familiarity with GDSFactory/Synopsys/Cadence, and a strong grasp of silicon photonics