Senior Photonic Technical Program Manager

About the role

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:

Quantum computing promises to solve many important problems that could never be solved on any conventional computer. At PsiQuantum, we’re building a general purpose silicon photonic quantum computer to tackle these very problems. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Sr. Photonic Technical Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex photonic integrated circuit (PIC) programs supporting our linear optical quantum computer (LOQC).

In this role, you will drive cross-functional alignment across design, test, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful integration and performance of advanced photonic circuits and subsystems. You will be responsible for defining program milestones, managing dependencies, mitigating risks, and ensuring that silicon photonic technologies meet system-level requirements. As a central coordinator, you will translate technical challenges into actionable plans, enable data-driven decision-making, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality hardware.

This role requires a strong technical foundation in photonics combined with exceptional program management skills. You will play a key role in orchestrating multidisciplinary efforts, improving development processes, and scaling photonic hardware from development through pilot production.

Responsibilities:

Lead end-to-end program management for silicon photonic circuit and subsystem development, from concept through pilot ramp

Drive cross-functional coordination between design, test, systems, and manufacturing teams to meet program objectives

Define program scope, schedules, milestones, and deliverables; track progress and manage risks and dependencies

Ensure alignment of performance requirements, test methodology, and calibration approaches across hardware levels

Facilitate data-driven decision-making by coordinating analysis of performance metrics and yield vs SA and system-level data

Support root-cause analysis, quality evaluations, and continuous improvements across development stages

Drive PIC and subassembly specifications and improvements in product performance and yield during the pilot ramp

Communicate program status, risks, and key insights to stakeholders and leadership

Experience/Qualifications:

MS degree + 8+ years’ experience, or PhD + 5+ years’ experience in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field

Strong understanding of silicon photonics, including active and passive devices, integration challenges, and manufacturing considerations

Experience working across multiple hardware development stages (R&D, prototyping, pilot production)

Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data (JMP, Python, etc)

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with ability to align diverse teams

Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

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.

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
$160,000 $180,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range
$183,000 $200,000 USD