Quantum Architect - Simulation

PSI Quantum; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage for you and dependents

401(k) with company match

Equity grants

Wellness benefits

Family support programs

Life and disability insurance

Paid leave

Company-paid holidays

Discretionary time off

End-of-year shutdown

Job summary

PsiQuantum is seeking a seasoned physicist with a strong collaborative software engineering background to bridge quantum research and scalable software development. The role focuses on modelling entangled resource states, linear optical networks, and integration into full-stack simulations.

You will design and maintain simulation tools, work with architecture teams, and run analyses across multiple projects, departments, and sites in a fast-moving startup environment. Equity and benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Math, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering is required. A postgraduate degree related to quantum information or technology is preferred.
• 3+ years of collaborative software engineering experience, preferably in an R&D environment.
• Knowledge of quantum information and linear optics is required. Familiarity with linear optical quantum computing, quantum error correction, quantum networks, error modelling, switching / multiplexing networks.
• Extensive experience with Python is required. Experience with a lower-level language such as C++ is preferred.
• Experience with collaborative software development tools and best practices e.g. Gitlab, CICD.
• Proven team player with an ability to collaborate effectively across departments, sites, and time zones.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize and steer projects to completion, and contribute to a fast-moving start-up environment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with quantum architecture domain experts to understand, implement, and simulate new state-of-the-art methods for the generation of entangled resource states and encoded logic.
• Design, develop, and maintain robust software tools and infrastructure for the simulation of full-stack quantum architectures.
• Profile simulation software and explore and implement more optimal computational techniques.
• Run simulation analyses, manage data, and communicate results.
• Ensure the interoperability of simulation tools and modelling frameworks across projects, teams, and departments.

Skills

Python

C++

Quantum information

Linear optics

ZX calculus

Tensor networks

Collaborative software engineering

Education

Physics/Math/CS/EE degree

Postgraduate degree in quantum information/tech

Tools

GitLab CI/CD

Job description

PsiQuantum'smission 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 approachisbased on silicon photonics. Byleveragingthe 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: photonsdon'tfeel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.

In 2024,PsiQuantumannounced 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.

PsiQuantumalso 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. Itrepresentsa fundamental shift-and a path to mastering challenges that cannot besolvedany other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clearpathto make it real.

Come join us.

Job Summary:

Quantum architects research and develop architectures for fault tolerant photonic quantum computers, in particular methods for entanglement generation, encoded logic, and error correction. Quantum architects in the simulation team focus on developing and running large-scale simulations to evaluate the performance of such methods and their integration into a full-stack architecture. We are looking for an experienced physicist with a strong collaborative software engineering background to bridge the gap between quantum computing research and scalable software development.

This role focuses on modelling the generation of entangled qubit resource states using linear optical networks in our full-stack simulations.Candidates should have knowledge of linear optics, and experience in some of the following areas: linear optical quantum computing, quantum error correction, quantum networks, error modelling, switching / multiplexing networks. The position requires close collaboration with optical architecture and fault-tolerance teams and involves frequent iteration in response to evolving technical requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with quantum architecture domain experts to understand, implement, and simulate new state-of-the-art methods for the generation of entangled resource states and encoded logic.
• Design, develop, and maintain robust software tools and infrastructure for the simulation of full-stack quantum architectures.
• Profile simulation software and explore and implement more optimal computational techniques.
• Run simulation analyses, manage data, and communicate results.
• Ensure the interoperability of simulation tools and modelling frameworks across projects, teams, and departments.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Degree in Physics, Math, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering is required. A postgraduate degree related to quantum information or technology is preferred.
• 3+ years of collaborative software engineering experience, preferably in an R&D environment.
• Knowledge of quantum information and linear optics is required. Familiarity with linear optical quantum computing, quantum error correction, quantum networks, error modelling, graphical calculus (e.g. ZX calculus), tensor networks are strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience with Python is required. Experience with a lower-level language such as C++ is preferred.
• Experience with collaborative software development tools and best practices is required e.g. Gitlab, CICD.
• Proven team player with an ability to collaborate effectively across departments, sites, and time zones.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize and steer projects to completion, and contribute to a fast-moving start-up environment.

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.

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. geographicmarkets, and we pay based on defined geographic zones. This position may be filled withinone of the followingU.S. geographic zones, each with its own salary range.

Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent onvarious factorsincluding, 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
• Zone 2-Examples include LosAngelesandWashington DC
• Zone 3-Examples include Austin, Chicago,and Sacramento
• Zone 4-Examples include Nashville and Phoenix/Tempe and manyremote locations

This position includes the following benefits: competitive health coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) with company match, equity grants, access to financial wellness tools and planning resources, wellness benefits, family support programs, life and disability insurance, paid leave programs, company-designated paid holidays, discretionary time off (DTO), and an end-of-year company shutdown. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements and may vary based on location, role, or employment status. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

The estimated annual base salary range for this role is:

Zone 1 $151,800—$178,400 USD

Zone 2 $164,000—$192,700 USD

Zone 3 $145,800—$171,300 USD

Zone 4 $127,600—$149,900 USD