Senior R&D Engineer

PsiQuantum
Palo Alto, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at experienced researchers with a background in superconducting nanowire single photon detectors and material science, working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment in the United States.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with advanced experience in superconducting device design and material science research
    — “Experience/Qualifications: >5 years experience in the design and development of SNSPDs”
  • Researchers with a strong grasp of microscopic superconductivity theory and device modeling
    — “large-scale analysis of SNSPD data based on a deep understanding of SNSPD physics, spanning microscopic theories of superconductivity”

Things to consider

  • The position requires working on fault-tolerant quantum computing systems, which may demand a high level of specialization.
    — “fault-tolerant quantum systems”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in large-scale data analysis and device design for superconducting nanowire detectors.
    — “large-scale analysis of SNSPD data and film metrology”
  • Showcase work in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing or photonic integration processes.
    — “use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips”
  • Emphasize any prior collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams in material science or fabrication.
    — “close interaction with multiple teams spanning material science, fabrication, testing and layout”
  • Demonstrate understanding of quantum computing's potential impact on foundational industries.
    — “their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials”
  • Frame your background in terms of contributing to scalable, fault-tolerant quantum systems.
    — “deploy SNSPD’s at scale for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • large-scale analysis of SNSPD data
  • design and development of SNSPDs
  • deploy SNSPD’s at scale for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers
Typical background
5+ years experience in the design and development of SNSPDsPhD in a technical discipline

Skills & requirements

Required

Snspd Data AnalysisMicroscopic Superconductivity TheoryDevice Design Tape-outsMaterial Design

Preferred

Superconducting Device DesignCondensed Matter Physics

Stack & domain

SnspdSuperconducting Nanowire Single Photon DetectorsPhotonic Quantum ComputersMicroscopic Theories Of SuperconductivityCondensed Matter PhysicsSuperconducting Device DesignMaterial ScienceFabricationTestingLayoutScaleHigh PerformanceHigh Temperature OperationFault-tolerant Quantum ComputersQuantum ComputingPhotonics

About the role

Original posting from PsiQuantum

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:

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPD) are a key technology that are mandatory for the development of photonic quantum computers. The job will involve large-scale analysis of SNSPD data and film metrology and design of experiments informed by microscopic superconductivity theory to make improvements to SNSPD devices and materials. The job would involve close interaction with multiple teams spanning material science, fabrication ,testing and layout to deploy SNSPD’s at scale for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Responsibilities:

The role will require large-scale analysis of SNSPD data based on a deep understanding of SNSPD physics, spanning microscopic theories of superconductivity as well as phenomenological models suitable for devices. The analyzed data will be used to deploy future material design and device design tape-outs for scalable, high performance and high temperature operation.

Experience/Qualifications:

>5 years experience in the design and development of SNSPDs , or in adjacent areas involving microscopic theory of superconductivity or condensed matter physics or superconducting device design. A PhD in a technical discipline is preferred but not necessary.

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 recruiting@psiquantum.com.

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

Source: PsiQuantum careers

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