Principal System Integration Lead (Quantum Hardware)

<p>PsiQuantum’s&nbsp;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.&nbsp;</p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Our architecture and approach&nbsp;is&nbsp;based on silicon photonics. By&nbsp;leveraging&nbsp;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&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">In 2024,&nbsp;PsiQuantum&nbsp;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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">PsiQuantum&nbsp;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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It&nbsp;represents&nbsp;a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be&nbsp;solved&nbsp;any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear&nbsp;path&nbsp;to make it real.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Come join us.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong>Job Summary:</strong></p> <p>System Integration Lead will translate quantum system requirements into an implementable, scalable hardware architecture—and then drive cross-functional integration from concept through build, test, and deployment. This role sits at the intersection of quantum system architecture, photonics/electronics hardware, facilities and infrastructure, and system design engineering. You will be a primary technical integrator and communicator who brings clarity, alignment, and execution discipline to a fast-moving environment.</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Translate system intent into hardware reality</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="52">Gather inputs from the <strong data-renderer-mark="true">Quantum System Architecture</strong> team and convert them into an <strong data-renderer-mark="true">implementable hardware architecture</strong> (requirements, interfaces, subsystems, integration plan, verification strategy).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="253">Own end-to-end <strong data-renderer-mark="true">system-level requirements decomposition</strong> into subsystem specs (photonics, electronics, thermal, mechanical, controls, firmware/software interfaces, infrastructure).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="435">Define and maintain the <strong data-renderer-mark="true">system architecture baseline</strong> as designs evolve—managing changes while protecting system integrity.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="563"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Lead cross-functional integration</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="600">Coordinate across internal teams including <strong data-renderer-mark="true">facilities</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">photonics</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">electronics</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">system design engineers</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">test/validation</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">packaging</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">thermal</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">mechanical</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">reliability</strong>, and other technical leads.</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="796">Engage external stakeholders and vendors/partners as needed to ensure interface compatibility, delivery alignment, and integration readiness.</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="941">Drive <strong data-renderer-mark="true">integration readiness reviews</strong>, interface alignment, and subsystem bring-up plans.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1034"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Own interfaces, trade-offs, and decisions</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1079">Establish and manage <strong data-renderer-mark="true">ICDs (Interface Control Documents)</strong>, system block diagrams, integration specifications, and dependency maps.</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1211">Lead system-level <strong data-renderer-mark="true">trade studies</strong> and decision processes across competing constraints (performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, schedule, facility constraints).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1383">Identify integration risks early and own mitigations, contingencies, and escalation paths.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1479"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Build processes that scale</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1509">Create and continuously improve integration workflows that bring order without slowing innovation (e.g., requirements flow-down, change control, design reviews, configuration management, integration checklists).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1724">Establish clear mechanisms for <strong data-renderer-mark="true">issue tracking</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">root-cause analysis</strong>, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">lessons learned</strong>, and repeatable test/validation practices.</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1854">Help develop an integration culture that balances rigor with startup agility.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1937"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Communicate clearly and drive alignment</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1980">Serve as a central communication hub across technical and non-technical stakeholders.</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="2069">Provide concise updates on architecture status, integration risks, schedule impacts, and decision needs.</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="2177">Align teams through clear documentation, structured meetings, and effective stakeholder management.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Experience/Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Education &amp; experience</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="29">MS in a relevant engineering field (Electronics, Optics, Photonics, EE/CE, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, etc.) with <strong data-renderer-mark="true">10+ years</strong> of industry experience, <strong data-renderer-mark="true">or</strong></li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="193">PhD in a similar field with <strong data-renderer-mark="true">6+ years</strong> of industry experience.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="259"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Technical background</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="283">Must have demonstrated experience in <strong data-renderer-mark="true">electronic–photonics systems</strong> (mixed-domain integration: optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, controls).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="422">Strong understanding of system integration principles: requirements, interfaces, verification, reliability, and integration/test planning.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="566"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Leadership</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="580">Prior experience in <strong data-renderer-mark="true">lead positions</strong> (technical lead, system lead, integration lead, or program-facing technical leadership).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="707">Track record of driving cross-functional execution and resolving complex technical dependencies.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="809"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Communication</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="826">Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex technical topics into clear decisions and actionable plans.</li> </ul> </li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="973"><strong data-renderer-mark="true">Mindset</strong> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="984">Strong positive attitude toward <strong data-renderer-mark="true">change and uncertainty</strong>; able to adapt quickly and navigate complex decision-making environments.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1149">Background in <strong data-renderer-mark="true">data-center-scale system integration</strong> (large infrastructure, facility constraints, high availability, safety, commissioning, operational readiness).</li> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1314">Experience integrating systems that span <strong data-renderer-mark="true">facility + hardware + controls/software</strong>, including deployment/commissioning in operational environments. <ul> <li data-renderer-start-pos="1463">Familiarity with formal systems engineering tools and methods (MBSE, DOORS/Jama, configuration management, structured V&amp;V).</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>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 <a href="mailto:recruiting@psiquantum.com" data-stringify-link="mailto:recruiting@psiquantum.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">recruiting@psiquantum.com</a>.</strong></p> <p>We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>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.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>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.</p></div><div class="title">U.S. Base Pay Range </div><div class="pay-range"><span>$195,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$220,000 USD</span></div></div><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Bay Area Pay Range </div><div class="pay-range"><span>$250,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$260,000 USD</span></div></div></div>