Mechanical Design Engineer

PsiQuantum’s 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. 

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. 

Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging 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 don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. 

In 2024, PsiQuantum 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. 

PsiQuantum 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. 

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift-and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. 

Come join us. 

Job Summary:

The cryogenic engineering department is hiring a mechanical design engineer who will be heavily involved in the quantum computer. This position will interact with multiple teams internally and suppliers externally.

Responsibilities:

• In this role as Mechanical Design Engineer, you will focus primarily on the vacuum and cryogenic equipment design
• Acting as a detailer to produce CAD model, assembly drawings on the vacuum and cryogenic equipment
• General design activities such as requirements management, materials and component selection, Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and tolerance analyses
• Reviewing drawings for accuracy, conformance to project requirements, manufacturability, and established company practices and procedures
• Possessing high technical aptitude and being able to: visualize physical forms, develop feasible configurations, and understand engineering information.
• Participate in cryostats and quantum computer commissioning.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a mechanical, aerospace, nuclear, chemical engineering
• 3 plus years of relevant mechanical design experience on optical and electronic assembly
• Knowledge of vacuum-related manufacturing processes, materials, and their applications
• Knowledge of fabrication methods such as machining, welding, brazing, soldering, forming, etc.
• Working knowledge of drafting standards and methods, geometric dimensioning & tolerancing
• Aptitude in computer-aided parametric solid modeling design and detailing
• Software tools - Solidworks, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, Ansys workbench
• Experience with PLM software and document management system, Team Center, Windchill, Agile

Desired Skills/Experience:

• Experience working with cryogenic systems
• Experience working with ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code and PED Pressure Vessel Code
• Solid understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

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[email protected] .

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

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. 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.

U.S. Base Pay Range

$114,000—$125,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range

$140,000—$155,000 USD