Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer - Active Devices and Circuits

black.ai; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

black.ai is seeking an Integrated Photonics Engineer to develop components for the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The role focuses on designing and optimizing integrated photonic circuits. Candidates should have a strong background in photonics and collaboration.

Ideal applicants will possess a relevant MS or PhD and have experience with electro-optic devices and high-speed characterization. The salary range is competitive, reflecting the location's market standards.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering or related discipline.
• 3+ years of industry experience in integrated photonics technologies strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed characterization techniques is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize integrated photonic devices and circuits.
• Lead photonic tapeouts and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Mentor junior staff members.

Skills

Integrated photonic devices

Electro-optic phase shifters

Python

Data analysis

High-speed characterization

Signal integrity

Collaboration

Education

MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering

Tools

Ansys Lumerical

Tidy3D

COMSOL Multi-physics

Job description

PsiQuantum is seeking an Integrated Photonics Engineer – Active Devices and Circuits to help develop active components and circuits for the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The hiring level and scope for this role will be calibrated to the selected candidate’s experience and strengths. Candidates with relevant PhD/postdoctoral exposure, as well as those with additional industry experience, are encouraged to apply. The candidate will independently own the design, modeling, testing, characterization, and data analysis of active photonic devices and circuits. The Photonics Engineer will collaborate closely with teams across PsiQuantum—including electronics, manufacturing, test, packaging, and system validation—to achieve these goals. A successful candidate is expected to have hands‑on experience and knowledge in active photonic technologies such as electro‑optic phase shifters, switches, modulators, and related components.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize novel integrated photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits for quantum computing.
• Take a leading role in photonic tapeouts, including hands‑on layout, DOE and circuit design, planning, and interfacing with stakeholders such as packaging teams and electronic driver designers.
• Collaborate with dedicated test and lab teams to plan and execute automated high‑volume tests, develop new test methods when needed, develop and implement new analysis methods as necessary, and analyze measurement data to understand and improve components and circuits.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to build, test, and characterize high‑performance photonic chips and assemblies, including assembly‑level characterization of builds that integrate photonic circuits, PCBs, drivers, and related hardware.
• Mentor junior staff members.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering, or related discipline.
• PhD with relevant exposure to integrated photonics and electro‑optic devices required; 3+ years of industry experience in integrated photonics technologies strongly preferred.
• Deep expertise in integrated photonic devices—including both passive and active components—with a strong focus on electro‑optic phase shifters and modulators (e.g., in thin‑film lithium niobate, BTO, doped silicon, or III‑V materials such as InP, GaAs, AlGaAs, InGaAsP); experience with high‑speed operation (10 GHz bandwidth and beyond) and experimental characterization is a strong plus.
• Experience in the design and modeling of photonic and electro‑optic components using industry‑standard tools such as Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL Multi‑physics, Meep, etc.
• Knowledge of modeling of photonic circuits (e.g. using Lumerical Interconnect or SAX) is a plus.
• Knowledge of RF concepts, signal integrity and experience with simulation tools such as HFSS and ADS is a plus.
• Experience with photonic tapeouts and understanding of the foundry process.
• Photonic layout experience (using e.g. IPKISS, GDSFactory, etc.).
• Understanding or hands‑on experience with photonic packaging is a plus.
• Understanding of photonic‑electronic interfaces (drivers, TIAs, etc.) is a plus.
• Deep expertise in the characterization of integrated passive and active photonic components; hands‑on experience with high‑speed characterization techniques—such as S‑parameter measurements, large‑signal time‑domain analysis of active photonic devices, and assembly‑level characterization—is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, VNAs, high‑speed probes, and related RF/photonic test setups is a strong plus.
• Proficient in programming languages such as Python and Matlab.
• Strong data analysis skills, including visualization and making data‑driven design decisions.
• Collaborative in a multi‑disciplinary startup environment.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Experience in project planning and management.
• Proven team player with an ability to work with local and remote team members.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to various audiences.
• Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail oriented problem‑solving skills.

U.S. Base Pay Range: $150,000–$185,000 USD. Bay Area Pay Range: $170,000–$202,000 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.

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.