Quantum Architect – Simulation

PsiQuantum; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

PsiQuantum in Palo Alto is looking for a Quantum Architect to research and develop architectures for fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. The ideal candidate has a physics background and strong software engineering skills. Responsibilities include modelling entangled qubit states, running large-scale simulations, and collaborating with domain experts. Required qualifications include a relevant degree and 3+ years of experience in software engineering, particularly in R&D. The position offers a competitive salary range of $120,000—$140,000 depending on location and experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of collaborative software engineering experience, preferably in an R&D environment.
• Knowledge of quantum information and linear optics is required.
• Experience with collaborative software development tools.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with quantum architecture domain experts to implement new methods.
• Design and maintain robust software tools for simulation.
• Run simulation analyses and manage data.

Skills

Collaborative software engineering

Quantum information

Python programming

Linear optics knowledge

Education

Degree in Physics, Math, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering

Postgraduate degree in quantum information or technology

Tools

Gitlab

CICD

C++

Job description

Overview

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

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.

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 .

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. 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.

U.S. Base Pay Range $120,000—$140,000

US Bay Area Pay Range $155,000—$170,000