Principal System Integration Lead (Quantum Hardware)

Job Title

Principal System Integration Lead (Quantum Hardware)

Role Summary

Lead the technical integration of PsiQuantum's silicon-photonics quantum systems from architecture through build, test, and deployment. This role coordinates photonics, electronics, controls, mechanical/thermal, facilities, and software teams to deliver a scalable, manufacturable system.

Primary focus: translate system requirements into an implementable hardware architecture, manage interfaces and integration risks, and drive cross-functional execution.

Experience Level

Senior / Principal level. Typical experience: 10+ years industry experience with an MS or 6+ years with a PhD as listed in the role's hiring guidance.

Responsibilities

Accountable for defining and executing system-level integration activities and maintaining architecture integrity.

• Decompose system requirements into subsystem specifications and verification plans (photonics, electronics, thermal, mechanical, controls, firmware/software interfaces, infrastructure).
• Define and maintain the system architecture baseline and manage changes to protect system integrity.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external vendors for interface compatibility, delivery alignment, and integration readiness.
• Create and manage ICDs, system block diagrams, interface specifications, and dependency maps.
• Plan and lead integration readiness reviews, subsystem bring-up, and verification activities.
• Lead system-level trade studies and decision processes balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Identify integration risks early and own mitigation, contingencies, and escalation paths.
• Develop scalable integration processes: requirements flow-down, change control, configuration management, checklists, and lessons-learned workflows.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and decisions clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, leadership, and communication abilities to lead complex, mixed-domain hardware integration.

• Proven experience integrating electronic–photonics systems (mixed optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, controls domains).
• Strong understanding of system integration principles: requirements engineering, interface management, verification, reliability, and integration/test planning.
• Prior technical leadership or system/integration lead experience driving cross-functional execution and resolving complex dependencies.
• Skilled in establishing and managing Interface Control Documents, conducting trade studies, and making architecture-level decisions.
• Experience creating scalable processes for change control, configuration management, and repeatable validation/testing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate complex technical topics into clear decisions and plans.
• Adaptable mindset: works effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and manages uncertainty in decision making.

Education Requirements

MS in a relevant engineering field (Electronics, Optics, Photonics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, etc.) with 10+ years industry experience, or PhD in a similar field with 6+ years industry experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Relevant experience and tools that improve effectiveness in large-scale system integration.

• Background in data-center-scale system integration, facility constraints, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Experience integrating systems spanning facility, hardware, and controls/software and involvement in deployment/commissioning.
• Familiarity with formal systems engineering tools and methods (MBSE, DOORS/Jama), configuration management, and structured V&V.

Compensation

Base pay ranges provided for U.S. locations. Bay Area range applies to candidates within ~50 miles of Palo Alto.

• Bay Area: $250,000—$260,000 USD (base)
• U.S. other locations: $195,000—$220,000 USD (base)

Other Notes

PsiQuantum will only contact candidates from an official PsiQuantum email address. Do not provide bank account information during the interview process. Report suspicious messages to recruiting@psiquantum.com. Agency resumes are not being accepted.

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.