Intern, System Architecture
PsiQuantumJob Title
Intern, System Architecture
Role Summary
The System Architecture internship sits at the interface of hardware development, manufacturing, and quantum architecture to help design fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. Interns join the optical architecture group to translate quantum information protocols into physical system designs and to model optical systems to define hardware requirements.
Internships are available in Palo Alto, CA (United States), Bristol/Daresbury (United Kingdom), and remotely. Placements last 3–6 months and are hired on a rolling basis.
Experience Level
Entry-level internship. Typical duration 3–6 months; suitable for current students or recent postgraduates.
Responsibilities
Contribute to ongoing optical architecture technical projects and help produce prototype implementations and analyses.
- Write prototype software to control and simulate optical networks for photonic quantum computers.
- Apply quantum information theory, network design, and optimization techniques to improve architecture designs.
- Develop and evaluate new approaches to photonic quantum computing.
- Simulate, benchmark, and analyze different protocols and design options.
- Document technical results and communicate findings to engineering and architecture teams.
Requirements
Technical skills and attributes expected for successful candidates.
- Programming experience in Python, C++, Julia, or similar languages.
- Competent with collaborative software development tools (e.g., GitHub) is desirable.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate theoretical concepts into prototypes.
- Effective verbal and written communication; ability to work closely with others.
- Preferred knowledge: quantum optics, photonic hardware, switch network design, optimization methods, and graph theory.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's (or equivalent) in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. Candidates currently studying for or recently finished a postgraduate degree are encouraged to apply (PhD preferred). Equivalent practical experience is acceptable.
About the Company
Company: PsiQuantum
Headquarters: Palo Alto, CA, United States
PsiQuantum develops silicon-photonic quantum computers aimed at building million-qubit, fault-tolerant systems. Founded in 2016, the company combines semiconductor manufacturing processes, photonic hardware, and quantum software to scale quantum systems for commercial and government applications.
