Project Engineer 4 - Quantum Photonics Modules

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) matching

PTO 20 days

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego, CA, seeks a Quantum Photonics Modules Project Engineer 4 to lead cross-functional programs across optical, mechanical, electrical, and supply chain domains. You’ll own schedules, budgets, and critical-path decisions in a fast-paced startup setting.

The role demands 5+ years in photonics/program management, DfX expertise, and a track record taking a photonic product from prototype to high-volume production.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years engineering or project management experience in photonics or related industries.
• Ownership of a photonic/optoelectronic product from prototype to high-volume production.
• Hands-on DfX experience (DFM/DFT/DFR) applied to photonic packaging.
• Experience leading cross-functional programs with scheduling, budgets and resources.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain integrated project plans, phase-gate deliverables, and budgets; drive milestones.
• Lead cross-functional teams across optical, mechanical, electrical, test, quality, and supply chain.
• Run design reviews, gate reviews, and problem-solving sessions to closure.
• Embed DfX into design decisions from concept forward.
• Drive design/process changes to improve yield, cycle time, and cost.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships for photonic components; drive cost reduction.
• Track progress, generate status reports, and communicate updates to leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for project execution and module performance.
• Report program status and decisions to engineering leadership and executives.

Skills

Cross-functional teams

Project management

DfX integration

Photonic integration

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Education

MS/PhD Optical Engineering

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Quantum Photonics Modules Project Engineer 4. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Build and maintain integrated project plans, phase-gate deliverables, and budgets; drive milestones to completion and elevate early when the critical path is at risk.
• Lead cross-functional teams spanning optical, mechanical, electrical, process, test, quality, and supply chain — largely without direct authority — aligning priorities and resolving competing constraints.
• Run design reviews, gate reviews, and technical problem-solving sessions; drive decisions to closure and document the rationale.
• Embed DfX — manufacturability, assembly, test, reliability, and cost — into design decisions from the concept phase forward.
• Drive design and process changes that improve first-pass yield, cycle time, and unit cost, and own the business case behind each.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships for critical photonic and optomechanical components; drive qualification, second-sourcing, and cost reduction.
• Track project progress, generate status reports, and communicate updates to management and stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize project execution and module performance
• Report program status, metrics, and decisions to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders.

• MS or PhD. degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• Typically, 5+ years of engineering or project management experience within photonics, optoelectronics, or related industries
• Demonstrated ownership of at least one photonic or optoelectronic product taken from prototype through qualification and into sustained high-volume production.
• Hands-on DfX experience — DFM, DFA, DFT, DFR, and design-to-cost — applied to photonic or optomechanical packaging.
• Working knowledge of photonic module integration across optical, mechanical, and electrical domains.
• Track record leading cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders, managing schedule, budgets, and resources.
• Experience identifying and mitigating technical risk in a development environment.

Startup Mindset:

• You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

The expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.