Senior Optical Fiber Link Design Engineer

black.ai; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

PsiQuantum is building practical quantum computers and seeks a Senior Optical Fiber Design Engineer to advance the optical distribution network for current and future systems.

The role involves designing fiber networks, validating performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet stringent quantum performance thresholds.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Physics, Optical or Electrical Engineering with 3+ years industry experience.
• 5+ years experience designing, validating and testing fiber networks and fiber optical systems.
• Experience with optical test equipment and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end system fiber link architecture connecting subsystems, PICs and control systems.
• Create detailed fiber designs for complex optical distribution networks, including routing and I/O.
• Contribute to link budgets and calculations to meet architecture requirements.

Skills

Fiber optics

Python scripting

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

MS/PhD in Physics, Optical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

OBR

OSA

Power meters

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:

The Senior Optical Fiber Design Engineer reports into the System Design organization. This role supports the Optical Distribution Network (ODN) design and integration for current and future systems. This includes the design, development, integration and validation of the fiber network and hardware to support the complex fiber network needed in our quantum systems.

Responsibilities:

• Support end-to-end system fiber link architecture connecting subsystems, PICs and control systems.
• Create detailed fiber designs for complex optical distribution networks. This includes routing, splice plans, and overall optical I/O.
• Contribute to link budgets and calculations to meet System Architecture requirements for worldline loss.
• Define guidelines for fiber routing, splicing, connectorization, cleanliness, and handling to meet quantum performance thresholds.
• Work with vendors and evaluate advanced fiber optic components, and qualify such components for use in quantum computing applications.
• Some Python scripting, calling Controls SW APIs / drivers to control lab equipment and proprietary systems.
• Clear communication and cross functional collaboration.

Experience/Qualifications:

• M.S. or PhD in Physics, Optical or Electrical Engineering with 3+ years industry experience.
• 5+ years experience designing, validating and testing fiber networks and fiber optical systems.
• Experience in fiber optics, including loss mechanisms, dispersion, nonlinear effects, polarization, and phase stability.
• Experience designing fiber optic systems, fiber networking and working with advanced splice equipment and optimization, fiber handling and routing.
• Experience working with optical test equipment including power meters, optical backscatter reflectometers (OBR), optical spectrum analyzer (OSA).
• Experience working with instrumentation used in the photonics and/or the electronics industry.
• Experience with software controls in Python.
• Experience developing test methods and optimization, tuning algorithms.
• Experience in product lifecycles, transitioning from R&D to product development.
• Strong organizational skills, excellent communication skills, attention to detail and ability to multitask.
• Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail oriented problem-solving skill.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment & collaborate with cross functional teams.

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.

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: $130,000 — $170,000 USD.

Bay Area Pay Range: $170,000 — $195,000 USD.