Cryogenic Electrical Interconnect Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Cryogenic Electrical Interconnect Engineer. Location: Milpitas, California, USA

Responsibilities:

• Design electrical cables and cable assemblies for vacuum and cryogenic environments.
• Design electrical feedthroughs and interconnect solutions across cryostat vacuum boundaries.
• Design and integrate electrical connectors for PCBs and electronic components operating at cryogenic temperatures.
• Develop interconnect architectures connecting components inside the cryostat with external room-temperature equipment.
• Select cables, conductors, connectors, feedthroughs, insulation materials, and related components based on electrical, thermal, mechanical, vacuum, and cryogenic requirements;
• Evaluate thermal conduction through cables and interconnects and help manage cryostat thermal loads.
• Design cable routing, mechanical supports, strain relief, and thermal anchoring solutions.
• Evaluate mechanical and thermal effects on connectors and cable assemblies, including differential thermal contraction during cooldown and warmup.
• Develop 3D CAD models, drawings, interface definitions, and specifications.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, PCB, cryogenic, and system engineering teams.
• Support component selection and qualification through engineering analysis and testing.
• Develop and execute tests covering electrical, mechanical, thermal, vacuum, and cryogenic performance.
• Support procurement, manufacturing, installation, integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting;
• Work with cable, connector, feedthrough, and electronics suppliers.
• Analyze test and field issues and develop technical solutions.
• Document engineering requirements, specifications, and interface definitions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience designing electrical interconnects, cable assemblies, connectors, electronic packaging, or related electromechanical systems.
• Professional experience with connectors and cables for electronic components and systems.
• Strong understanding of conductors, insulation, connectors, shielding, grounding, and signal integrity;
• Good understanding of mechanical engineering principles related to connector and cable design, tolerances, interfaces, strain relief, and material selection.
• Experience designing components and assemblies using 3D CAD software. Siemens NX experience is preferred.
• Ability to develop engineering drawings, specifications, interface definitions, and component requirements.
• Ability to work across electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines.
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements and manage multiple assignments.

Preferred:

• Experience designing cables, connectors, or electrical feedthroughs for vacuum or cryogenic environments.
• Experience with cryogenic electronic systems and electrical interconnects.
• Experience with superconducting cables, superconducting electrical connections, or other low-temperature electrical technologies.
• Understanding of material behavior at cryogenic temperatures, including differential thermal contraction.
• Understanding of thermal conduction through electrical wiring and cable thermal anchoring.
• Experience with hermetic electrical feedthroughs and vacuum-compatible connectors and materials.
• Experience with PCB connectors and electronic packaging for cryogenic applications;
• Experience with low-noise, high-density, high-frequency, or other performance-sensitive interconnects.
• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, and troubleshooting cables, connectors, feedthroughs, and electronic hardware.
• Experience with vacuum, thermal cycling, cryogenic, and electrical qualification testing.
• Familiarity with soldering, crimping, brazing, and related joining techniques.
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) according to ASME Y14.5.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Full-time employees are eligible for equity and benefits.
• Estimated annual base salary:
  • Zone 1, Bay Area and NYC: $126,600–$148,700
  • Zone 2, including Los Angeles and Washington, DC: $113,900–$133,800
  • Zone 3, including Austin, Chicago, and Sacramento: $101,300–$119,000
  • Zone 4, including Nashville, Phoenix/Tempe, and many remote locations: $88,600–$104,100
• Health coverage for employees and dependents.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Equity grants.
• Financial wellness tools and planning resources.
• Wellness benefits and family support programs;
• Life and disability insurance.
• Paid leave programs and company-designated paid holidays.
• Discretionary time off.
• End-of-year company shutdown.
• Some benefits have eligibility requirements and may vary by location, role, or employment status.

Application and Other Information:

• Applicants must complete the required application and provide a resume/CV and cover letter.
• The cover letter must include the word "purple".
• Candidates may be asked about work authorization and future visa sponsorship requirements.
• PsiQuantum does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.