Mechanical Design Engineer – Photonic Hardware

Job Title

Mechanical Design Engineer – Photonic Hardware

Role Summary

R&D mechanical engineer responsible for mechanical and thermal design, prototyping and validation of precision photonic hardware for optical quantum computing systems. The role interfaces with photonics, systems and architecture teams, and external suppliers to develop robust, testable, and manufacturable hardware.

This position focuses on translating novel experimental concepts into reliable hardware suitable for controlled or stability-critical environments.

Experience Level

Entry-level. Around 1–2 years of relevant post-degree or equivalent hands-on experience in demanding engineering environments is expected.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include design, analysis, prototyping and validation of precision mechanical systems for photonic hardware:

• Contribute to mechanical design from concept through prototype build and validation.
• Develop enclosure, packaging and internal layout solutions for controlled or stability-critical environments.
• Design mechanically robust solutions for precision assemblies, including routing, handling and support of sensitive components.
• Develop and support thermal management and temperature stabilisation approaches, including environmental control and active feedback where appropriate.
• Perform mechanical and thermal analysis and simulation to identify risks and inform design choices.
• Plan and execute validation activities to assess mechanical stability, thermal performance and repeatability.
• Work with photonics, systems architecture and experimental teams to translate system requirements into practical hardware designs.
• Engage with suppliers and external collaborators on components, fabrication methods, manufacturability and assembly.
• Support prototype build activities: documentation, drawings, procurement, assembly planning and test support.
• Contribute to transferring hardware from lab demonstrator to repeatable, manufacturable systems.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Proven experience contributing to the design, build and validation of precision hardware or experimental systems.
• Proficient in CAD and producing engineering drawings.
• Experience with mechanical and/or thermal modelling, analysis or simulation.
• Experience working with precision assemblies, fragile components or tightly constrained mechanical systems.
• Strong practical engineering skills with hands-on experience in build, test and debugging.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and liaise with external partners and suppliers.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supporting prototype procurement, assembly planning and test activities.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience in optical, photonic, cryogenic, vacuum or scientific instrumentation systems.
• Experience with optomechanical or fibre-based hardware packaging and mechanically/thermally stable designs.
• Experience with environmental control, thermal stabilisation or feedback-controlled hardware.
• Experience from large-scale physics experiments, advanced photonics R&D, aerospace, semiconductor tools or high-spec laser systems.
• Familiarity with design for manufacture, prototype iteration and transfer toward repeatable build; supplier engagement and specialist fabrication.

Education Requirements

Degree, apprenticeship-based qualification, or equivalent practical experience in mechanical engineering, physics, engineering science, hardware design or a related discipline. The posting explicitly accepts equivalent hands-on routes (e.g., apprenticeships, technician-to-engineer progression) in lieu of formal degrees.

Location: Daresbury, United Kingdom. Target base pay: £50,000 50,000 56,000 GBP (range for new hires).

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.