Senior Automation Engineer

PSI Quantum; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

401(k) with company match

Health coverage

Job summary

PsiQuantum in Milpitas, CA is seeking a highly experienced Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of automation solutions for high-precision optical alignment systems. You will architect real-time control software and integrate nano-positioning stages with cameras and sensors to automate complex alignment workflows.

Lead junior engineers, ensure software quality, and collaborate across mechanical, optical, and systems teams in lab and production environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• 8+ years of automation software engineering experience with a focus on motion control or hardware integration.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or C#, with a focus on real-time systems or hardware interfacing.
• Hands-on experience with nano-positioning systems (e.g., PI, Aerotech, Newport), motion controllers, or precision actuators.
• Deep understanding of control systems, sensor integration, and closed-loop feedback.
• Familiarity with optical lab instrumentation and high-precision metrology.
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom platforms for data acquisition, automation, and visualization.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement automation software for real-time control of precision hardware and alignment systems.
• Develop algorithms and motion sequences for sub-micron optical alignment and measurement routines.
• Integrate motion control systems with cameras, sensors, and software platforms to automate complex workflows.
• Design and maintain scalable automation frameworks for functional testing and validation.
• Collaborate with mechanical, optical, and systems engineers to define software interfaces for hardware.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead code reviews and architectural discussions.
• Ensure high standards of software quality, reliability, and repeatability in lab and production environments.

Skills

Python

C++

C#

Real-time systems

Motion control

Sensor integration

Closed-loop control

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS, Mechatronics, EE

Tools

LabVIEW

MATLAB

OpenCV

Arena PLM

Jira

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:

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of automation solutions across our precision systems. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in enabling automated control of high-precision optical alignment systems, including those using nano-positioners to accelerate R&D, manufacturing, and testing processes.

Responsibilities:

• Architect and implement automation software for real-time control of precision hardware, including opto-mechanical alignment systems and nano-positioning stages.
• Develop algorithms and motion sequences for sub-micron optical alignment, calibration, and measurement routines.
• Integrate motion control systems (e.g., piezoelectric nano-positioners) with cameras, sensors, and software platforms to automate complex alignment workflows.
• Design and maintain scalable automation frameworks for functional testing, system validation, and performance monitoring.
• Collaborate with mechanical, optical, and systems engineers to define software interfaces for precision hardware.
• Guide junior team members and lead code reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making.
• Ensure high standards of software quality, reliability, and repeatability in both lab and production environments

Experience/Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• 8+ years of experience in automation software engineering with a focus on motion control or hardware integration.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or C#, with a focus on real-time systems or hardware interfacing.
• Hands-on experience working with nano-positioning systems (e.g., PI, Aerotech, Newport), motion controllers, or precision actuators.
• Deep understanding of control systems, sensor integration, and closed-loop feedback.
• Familiarity with optical laboratory instrumentation and high-precision metrology.
• Experience developing and integrating with software tools for data acquisition, automation (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom platforms), and visualization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with image processing and computer vision.
• Experience with optical alignment techniques (active/passive), beam steering, or interferometry.
• Familiarity with image processing libraries (e.g., OpenCV) for vision-guided alignment.
• Knowledge of automation frameworks for system-level testing and validation.
• Experience with high-vacuum or cleanroom-compatible automation systems.
• Strong debugging, documentation, and cross-disciplinary communication skills.
• Experience with Jira for project and task tracking.
• Experience with Arena PLM.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

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.

• 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

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.

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 rangefor this role is:

Zone 1

$182,200 — $214,100 USD

Zone 2

$164,000 — $192,700 USD

Zone 3

$145,800 — $171,300 USD

Zone 4

$127,600 — $149,900 USD