Senior PIC Reliability Engineer

Company: PsiQuantum
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

[Please note: preferred location for this role is Albany, NY]

Quantum computing holds the promise of humanity's mastery over the natural world, but only if we can build a real quantum computer. PsiQuantum is on a mission to build the first real, useful quantum computers, capable of delivering the world-changing applications that the technology has long promised. We know that means we will need to build a system with roughly 1 million qubits that supports fault tolerant error correction within a scalable architecture, and a data center footprint.
By harnessing the laws of quantum physics, quantum computers can provide exponential performance increases over today's most powerful supercomputers, offering the potential for extraordinary advances across a broad range of industries including climate, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials design, and many more.
PsiQuantum has determined the fastest path to delivering a useful quantum computer, years earlier than the rest of the industry. Our architecture is based on silicon photonics which gives us the ability to produce our components at Tier-1 semiconductor fabs such as GlobalFoundries where we leverage high-volume semiconductor manufacturing processes, the same processes that are already producing billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics applications. We also benefit from the quantum mechanics reality that photons don't feel heat or electromagnetic interference, allowing us to take advantage of existing cryogenic cooling systems and industry standard fiber connectivity.
In 2024, PsiQuantum announced two government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first Quantum Data Centers and utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia and Chicago, Illinois. Both projects are backed by nations that understand quantum computing's potential impact and the need to scale this technology to unlock that potential. And we won't just be building the hardware, but also the fault tolerant quantum applications that will provide industry-transforming results.
Quantum computing is not just an evolution of the decades-old advancement in compute power. It provides the key to mastering our future, not merely discovering it. The potential is enormous, and we have the plan to make it real. Come join us.
There's much more work to be done and we are looking for exceptional talent to join us on this extraordinary journey!
Job Summary:
The PsiQuantum Foundry Engineering team develops a silicon photonics (SiPh) technology platform working with our development partners. The development efforts include the addition of new materials and process modules which meet the requirements of PsiQ's product development plans for a commercially useful quantum computer. Unique materials and process modules include a superconducting single photon detector, ultra-low loss waveguides, light scattering mitigation structures ("dark box") and a non-linear epitaxial metal oxide switch.
The teams' primary responsibilities are the enablement of new technology or modules and to provide engineering support working with the foundry. The team helps establishing design rules, design manual, reliability and qualification test vehicles, process assumptions, computational lithography, process tolerances, wafer acceptance criteria, patterning solutions, tool selection, process development for new structures and materials. Additionally, the team analyzes inline data and generates appropriate engineering line controls.
The PIC Reliability Engineer will support the development and qualification of new silicon photonic and electronic products in a Foundry environment. The PIC Reliability Engineer will work on completing reliability tasks, creating and maintaining qualification plans, process and design improvements, supporting tape-outs and design for reliability rules revisioning.
Responsibilities:

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• Own reliability processes for photonic semiconductor components, implement changes to the design rules for reliability improvements.
  
• Maintain/write reliability plans and documents.
  
• Work with test and foundry reliability teams to complete reliability testing and qualifications.
  
• Review and assess reliability reports and plans with design team and Foundry.
  
• Drive interactions between PsiQ photonic/electronic design and reliability teams and Foundry.
  
• Critically assess the interactions between reliability, technology design and processes.
  
• Plan and execute wafer and die level qualifications for supporting system builds.
  
• Engage with design, quality, reliability and product teams in product qualification and drive debug of any fallouts from technology/process issues.
  
  Experience/Qualifications:
  
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  • Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or Electronic Engineering or related experience is preferred.
    
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in semiconductor and reliability technologies.
    
  • Proven experience executing cross-department complex projects and working with semiconductor leading edge technologies.
    
  • Domain knowledge: extensive knowledge of semiconductor wafer level reliability and reliability standards; strong knowledge of device physics, design creation, test and characterization, process integration and packaging.
    
  • Expert in reliability, product qualification methodologies and qualification test sites development; prior experience with yield engineering and quality systems.
    
  • Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments, sites and time zones.
    
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.
    
  • Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail oriented problem-solving skills.
    
  • Highly focused, self-motivated and able to work independently with limited direction.
    
  • Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities and deliver against a schedule.
    
  • Demonstrated interest in quantum computing.
    
  • Ability to contribute in a fast-moving start-up environment.
    
    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.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 $150,000-$165,000 USDBay Area Pay Range $150,000-$190,000 USD

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