Senior Cryogenic Engineer

black.ai; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

black.ai is seeking a technically adept Senior Cryogenic Engineer to support the installation and operation of helium cryoplants for quantum computing applications. The successful candidate will have a strong background in vacuum systems and helium cryogenics, with hands-on experience in troubleshooting and control systems.

This role involves coordinating the commissioning of systems, leading operational teams, and developing maintenance strategies. A Master's degree in a relevant engineering field and over 5 years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with cryogenic systems, including helium refrigeration, LNG, superconducting magnets, or similar technologies.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex cryogenic and process systems, including instrumentation, vacuum integrity, and control issues.
• Strong working knowledge of PLC-based industrial control systems and process instrumentation (pressure, flow, temperature, vacuum sensors).
• Ability to provide technical leadership and resolve issues in high-pressure, ambiguous situations.
• Familiarity with design and implementation of control/instrumentation systems for industrial or scientific facilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise the installation, commissioning, and operation of two helium cryoplants and related infrastructure.
• Optimize helium process and system control strategies.
• Integrate cryoplants with cryogenic distribution systems and cryostats used in quantum computing environments.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting of cryogenic systems, including instrumentation faults, vacuum failures, and control logic anomalies.
• Lead the commissioning of cryoplants and cryostats, including system calibration, leak checking, and vacuum pumping procedures.
• Lead and manage operational teams, including training and guiding operators during startup, maintenance, and fault recovery.
• Develop maintenance strategies for cryoplants and support equipment.
• Participate in FATs and SATs, and lead the commissioning of process automation and control systems, including sensor validation and PLC tuning.
• Spearhead the development and review of P&IDs, and participate in operability and HAZOP reviews for safety and performance assurance.
• Maintain high-performance vacuum systems, identify and repair leaks.

Job description

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

We are seeking a technically adept and hands‑on Senior Cryogenic Engineer to lead and support the installation, integration, commissioning, and operation of multiple helium cryoplants and associated cryogenic systems—particularly in support of quantum computing applications. The ideal candidate will possess a unique combination of strategic program and project management expertise, exceptional troubleshooting abilities, and deep technical knowledge in vacuum systems and helium cryogenics. Proven experience with process instrumentation and control systems is essential. This role requires excellence in both field execution and system‑level design leadership.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise the installation, commissioning, and operation of two helium cryoplants and related infrastructure.
• Optimize helium process and system control strategies.
• Integrate cryoplants with cryogenic distribution systems and cryostats used in quantum computing environments.
• Provide expert‑level troubleshooting of cryogenic systems, including instrumentation faults, vacuum failures, and control logic anomalies.
• Lead the commissioning of cryoplants and cryostats, including system calibration, leak checking, and vacuum pumping procedures.
• Lead and manage operational teams, including training and guiding operators during startup, maintenance, and fault recovery.
• Develop maintenance strategies for cryoplants and support equipment.
• Participate in FATs and SATs, and lead the commissioning of process automation and control systems, including sensor validation and PLC tuning.
• Spearhead the development and review of P&IDs, and participate in operability and HAZOP reviews for safety and performance assurance.
• Maintain high‑performance vacuum systems, identify and repair leaks.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience with cryogenic systems, including helium refrigeration, LNG, superconducting magnets, or similar technologies.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex cryogenic and process systems, including instrumentation, vacuum integrity, and control issues.
• Strong working knowledge of PLC‑based industrial control systems and process instrumentation (pressure, flow, temperature, vacuum sensors).
• Ability to provide technical leadership and resolve issues in high‑pressure, ambiguous situations.
• Familiarity with design and implementation of control/instrumentation systems for industrial or scientific facilities.

Compensation

• Chicago, Illinois: $170,000 – $190,000 USD
• U.S. (outside 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto): $155,000 – $170,000 USD

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.