Principal Optical Fiber Architect (Optical Distribution Network for Photonic Quantum Computers) at PsiQuantum, Milpitas
Job Description
PsiQuantum is hiring a Principal Optical Fiber Architect in its System Design organisation to lead the optical distribution network (ODN): the complex fibre network that connects subsystems, photonic chips and control systems inside its quantum computers. Because PsiQuantum’s qubits are photons, these links must be ultra-low-loss and stable in length, phase and polarisation, which makes the job a close cousin of quantum networking engineering at the scale of a data centre.
At a glance
- Role: Principal Optical Fiber Architect
- Team: System Design
- Location: Milpitas, California
- Experience: MS or PhD plus 10+ years (5+ years in fibre networks)
- Pay: US$170,000–230,000 (US range); US$240,000–265,000 (Bay Area range)
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 14 October 2026)
What you will do
- Act as technical lead for the fibre distribution network of current and future systems
- Define the end-to-end fibre link architecture connecting subsystems, PICs and control systems, scalable from prototypes to manufacturable networks
- Set design principles for ultra-low-loss links and length, phase and polarisation stability, and tackle thermal drift and vibration
- Define guidelines for routing, splicing, connectorisation, cleanliness and handling to meet quantum performance thresholds
- Evaluate and qualify advanced fibre components with vendors, build prototypes and maintain the bill of materials
- Lead validation plans from proof of concept to product, with some Python scripting for lab control
What PsiQuantum is looking for
- An MS or PhD in physics, optical or electrical engineering with 10+ years of industry experience
- 5+ years designing, validating and testing fibre networks and fibre optical systems
- Deep expertise in fibre loss mechanisms, dispersion, nonlinear effects, polarisation and phase stability
- Experience with advanced splicing, fibre handling and routing, and optical test equipment (power meters, OBR, OSA)
- Python control software, test-method development and experience taking products from R&D to production
- Strong organisation, communication and cross-functional leadership
Pay and location
PsiQuantum lists a U.S. base pay range of US$170,000–230,000 and a Bay Area range of US$240,000–265,000 for this Milpitas role.
How to apply
Apply through the official PsiQuantum job posting. PsiQuantum’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 14 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our quantum technology jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: PsiQuantum
Official advertisement: www.psiquantum.com
How to prepare for this application
- Bring a large fibre network or system you designed, with your loss and stability budgets.
- Read about why photonic quantum computing needs extremely low-loss, phase-stable interconnects.
- Prepare to discuss component qualification and vendor management.
- Show Python scripts you wrote to automate fibre measurements.
About PsiQuantum
PsiQuantum is building large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers based on silicon photonics, made with partners such as GlobalFoundries. In these machines, photons travel between chips and subsystems through optical fibre, so fibre links are part of the computer itself.
