Senior Quantum Photonics Project Engineer

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego is seeking a Quantum Photonics Modules Project Engineer 4 to drive complex photonics programs from concept to high‑volume production. You will build integrated project plans, manage budgets, and align optical, mechanical, electrical, process, test, quality, and supply chain teams in a startup environment.

The role requires an MS/PhD in Optical/Photonics/Physics and 5+ years in photonics or PM, with hands‑on DfX experience and a proven track record delivering photonic

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Photonics Engineering, Physics, or related technical field.
• Typically, 5+ years of engineering or project management experience within photonics, optoelectronics, or related industries.
• Demonstrated ownership of at least one photonic or optoelectronic product taken from prototype through qualification and into sustained high‑volume production.
• Hands‑on DfX experience — DFM, DFA, DFT, DFR, and design‑to‑cost — applied to photonic or optomechanical packaging.
• Working knowledge of photonic module integration across optical, mechanical, and electrical domains.
• Track record leading cross‑functional programs with multiple stakeholders, managing schedule, budgets, and resources.
• Experience identifying and mitigating technical risk in a development environment.

Responsibilities

• Build integrated project plans, phase‑gate deliverables, and budgets; drive milestones to completion and elevate early when the critical path is at risk.
• Lead cross‑functional teams spanning optical, mechanical, electrical, process, test, quality, and supply chain — largely without direct authority — aligning priorities and resolving competing constraints.
• Run design reviews, gate reviews, and technical problem‑solving sessions; drive decisions to closure and document the rationale.
• Embed DfX — manufacturability, assembly, test, reliability, and cost — into design decisions from the concept phase forward.
• Drive design and process changes that improve first‑pass yield, cycle time, and unit cost, and own the business case behind each.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships for critical photonic and optomechanical components; drive qualification, second‑sourcing, and cost reduction.
• Track project progress, generate status reports, and communicate updates to management and stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize project execution and module performance
• Report program status, metrics, and decisions to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Photonics domain knowledge

DfX methodologies

Supplier management

Risk management

Budgeting

Stakeholder communication

Education

MS or PhD in Optical Engineering / Photonics / Physics

Job description

Monarch Quantum in San Diego is seeking a Quantum Photonics Modules Project Engineer 4 to drive complex photonics programs from concept to high‑volume production. You will build integrated project plans, manage budgets, and align optical, mechanical, electrical, process, test, quality, and supply chain teams in a startup environment.

The role requires an MS/PhD in Optical/Photonics/Physics and 5+ years in photonics or PM, with hands‑on DfX experience and a proven track record delivering photonic