System Integration Lead (Hardware)

Job Description

Job Title: Principal System Integration Lead (Quantum Hardware). Location: Milpitas, California, United States

Responsibilities:

• Translate quantum system-level requirements into implementable hardware architecture.
• Decompose system requirements into subsystem specifications across photonics, electronics, thermal, mechanical, controls, firmware, and software interfaces.
• Maintain and evolve system architecture baseline as designs change;
• Define verification strategies and integration plans for full system deployment.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Coordinate across photonics, electronics, system design, testing, packaging, thermal, mechanical, reliability, and infrastructure teams.
• Work with external partners and vendors to ensure interface compatibility and delivery alignment;
• Lead integration readiness reviews and subsystem bring-up planning.

Interface and Trade-Off Management

• Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs), system block diagrams, and dependency maps.
• Lead system-level trade studies balancing performance, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and schedule constraints.
• Identify integration risks and define mitigation strategies and escalation paths.

Process and System Scaling

• Design and improve integration workflows including requirements flow-down, configuration management, and change control.
• Establish structured issue tracking, root-cause analysis, and validation processes.
• Build scalable systems engineering practices that balance rigor with fast-paced development.

Communication and Leadership

• Act as a central communication point across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide clear updates on system architecture status, risks, and decisions required.
• Ensure alignment through structured documentation and effective meetings.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Electronics, Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field with 10+ years experience OR PhD with 6+ years experience.
• Strong background in electronic-photonic system integration (optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, controls domains).
• Deep understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements, interfaces, verification, and integration planning.
• Experience in technical leadership roles such as system lead or integration lead.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to operate in complex, fast-changing technical environments.

Preferred:

• Experience in data-center-scale or large infrastructure system integration.
• Familiarity with system commissioning, operational readiness, and high-availability systems.
• Experience integrating hardware with control software and facility systems;
• Knowledge of MBSE tools and systems engineering platforms (DOORS, Jama, configuration management systems).

Benefits and Compensation:

• Salary range:
  • $195,000 to $220,000 (US base)
  • $250,000 to $260,000 (Bay Area)
• Equity participation for full-time employees
• Comprehensive benefits package (health, financial, and insurance coverage may apply depending on role structure)
• Opportunity to work on large-scale quantum computing systems targeting real-world industrial applications
• Exposure to cutting-edge silicon photonics-based quantum computing architecture;
• Work with global partners across industry and government-funded quantum programs

Additional Information:

• Role involves collaboration across international teams and external partners.
• Strong focus on system reliability, scalability, and integration discipline;
• Candidate must demonstrate ability to manage complexity across multiple engineering domains.
• PsiQuantum is developing utility-scale quantum computers using silicon photonics and semiconductor manufacturing processes.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.