Production Technician Hardware

Front Door Defense; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 44,083; Full time

Job summary

PsiQuantum is seeking a Production Technician in Milpitas, CA to oversee assembly and inspection of photonic and semiconductor subassemblies. The role focuses on wire bonding, optical edge coupling, precision alignment, and subassembly builds, using microscopes and precision tooling.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in relevant manufacturing, strong manual dexterity, and the ability to operate basic troubleshooting on Windows-based systems and MES environments.

Qualifications

• Two or more years in semiconductor, photonics, optical, electronics, or R&D manufacturing.
• Hands-on wire bonding, edge coupling, or precision subassembly experience preferred.
• Experience with MES to track builds and WIP helpful.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, process, and inspect semiconductor, optical, and subassembly components per instructions.
• Support wire bonding, edge coupling, fiber handling, optical alignment, equipment operation, and testing.
• Move and track materials and WIP along the line; perform MES transactions.

Skills

Wire bonding

Optical alignment

Microscope inspection

MES transactions

Manual dexterity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MES system

Windows OS

Job description

Production Technician

Oversee assembly and inspection of photonic and semiconductor subassemblies to ensure quality and yield consistently

Location: Milpitas, California

Compensation: $27 - 32 USD / hour

About The Role

Production Technician

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 is 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.

Come join us.

Job Summary:

This hourly Operations Technician position supports the assembly and processing of photonic and semiconductor subassemblies, with a primary focus on wire bonding, optical edge coupling, precision alignment, and subassembly builds.

The technician will assemble and inspect small, sensitive components using microscopes, precision tooling, and manual or semi-automated equipment. Responsibilities include supporting wire bond operations, fiber preparation and optical coupling, material handling, build tracking, and accurate MES transactions throughout the manufacturing process.

The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment. They should be able to follow detailed work instructions, inspect their own work, perform basic troubleshooting and automation equipment, and communicate build status, equipment issues, and process concerns clearly to Operations and Engineering teams.

Responsibilities:

• Assemble, process, and inspect semiconductor, optical, and subassembly components according to approved instructions.
• Support wire bonding, edge coupling, fiber handling, optical alignment, equipment operation, and subassembly testing.
• Handle, verify, move, and track materials and work-in-process throughout the operations line.
• Complete accurate and timely MES transactions for build progress, material movement, holds, rework, and completed work.
• Operate manufacturing equipment and perform approved basic troubleshooting of computers, software, tooling, and automation systems.
• Inspect completed work, identify defects or process issues, and elevate problems when additional support is needed.
• Maintain clear build records and provide daily shift pass-downs covering status, results, issues, and open actions.
• Follow safety, cleanroom, quality, and material-handling requirements while maintaining an organized work area.
• Communicate effectively with Operations, Engineering, and support teams and recommend practical process improvements.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Two or more years of experience in semiconductor, photonics, optical, electronics, or R&D manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with wire bonding, wire bond inspection, edge coupling, active optical alignment, fiber handling, or precision subassembly is strongly preferred.
• Experience with fiber-optic cleaving, splicing, routing, and handling.
• Experience handling, assembling, and inspecting semiconductor dies and other small, fragile components.
• High manual dexterity and strong attention to detail when working with microscopes, precision tools, fixtures, and sensitive materials.
• Experience operating manual, automated, or semi-automated assembly and inspection equipment.
• Ability to perform basic troubleshooting of Windows computers, equipment software, network connections, sensors, fixtures, and automation interfaces.
• Experience using MES to track builds, materials, work-in-process, holds, rework, and production activity.
• Knowledge of cleanroom manufacturing, electrostatic discharge controls, safe material handling, and work-in-process control.
• Ability to follow work instructions, inspect personal work, identify problems, and work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and willingness to support multiple operational tasks in a fast-paced, low-volume, high-mix environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent experience.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and work overtime or weekends when required.

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. geographic markets, and we pay based on defined geographic zones. This position may be filled within one of the following U.S. geographic zones, each with its own salary range. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, business needs, and internal equity. Your recruiter can share more details about the salary range applicable to your location during the hiring process.

Zone 1 - Bay Area and NYC

$27.06 - $31.77 USD

Zone 2 - Examples include Los Angeles and Washington DC

$24.32 - $28.60 USD

Zone 3 - Examples include Austin, Chicago, and Sacramento

$21.63 - $25.43 USD

Zone 4 - Examples include Nashville and Phoenix/Tempe and many remote locations

$18.94 - $22.25 USD