Senior Digital System Architect

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Digital System Architect. Location: Palo Alto, California, USA

Responsibilities:

• Gather and translate high-level requirements into detailed hardware requirements.

• Design and implement low-latency algorithms and methods for time-critical tasks in the data plane of an optical quantum computer.

• Work with digital design experts to integrate algorithms into FPGAs.

• Collaborate with physicists and digital designers to evaluate design choices and optimize system performance.

• Ensure designs meet latency, throughput, and hardware footprint requirements;

• Write technical requirements and documentation.

• Develop cycle-accurate Python models for integration into discrete-time event simulations.

• Implement corresponding SystemVerilog designs that match the Python models.

• Write behavioral tests in Python to verify implementations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in digital design.

• Knowledge of SystemVerilog or VHDL for hardware design and simulation.

• Experience working with FPGAs and associated development tools;

• Strong Python programming skills and the ability to write clear, maintainable code.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to solve complex problems with creative and analytical approaches.

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across departments and time zones.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with distributed systems, including event correlation from multiple sources under real-time constraints.

• Experience with High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools, such as Xilinx Vitis.

• Experience with Python-based hardware verification tools, such as Cocotb.

• Knowledge of photonics and linear optics.

Benefits and Compensation:

Annual base salary depends on the geographic zone:

• Zone 1 (Bay Area and NYC): $176,500–$207,400.

• Zone 2 (Los Angeles and Washington, DC): $158,900–$186,700;

• Zone 3 (Austin, Chicago, and Sacramento): $141,200–$165,900.

• Zone 4 (Nashville, Phoenix/Tempe, and many remote locations): $123,600–$145,200.

Additional benefits include:

• Competitive health coverage for employees and dependents.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.

• Company equity grants.

• Financial wellness tools and planning resources.

• Wellness benefits and family support programs.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Paid leave programs and company-designated holidays.

• Discretionary time off (DTO).

• End-of-year company shutdown.

Some benefits may depend on location, role, or employment status. Many are subsidized or fully paid by the company.

Other Information:

• Work location: Palo Alto, California.

• Work environment: Multi-technology and cross-functional engineering environment.

• Application requirement: Candidates must include the word "purple" in their cover letter.

• Application documents: Resume/CV and cover letter are required.

• Visa sponsorship: The application asks candidates whether they require current or future employment visa sponsorship.

• Recruitment security: PsiQuantum only contacts candidates through official company email addresses and never requests bank account information during interviews.

• Recruitment agencies: Unsolicited resumes from employment agencies are not accepted.