System Modeling and Simulation Lead (Quantum Systems)

Job Title

System Modeling and Simulation Lead (Quantum Systems)

Role Summary

Lead development of predictive, system-level models for a photonics-based quantum computer. Produce validated subsystem abstractions and user-facing simulation capabilities that translate component nonidealities into decision‑relevant quantum performance metrics for architecture, design, validation, and controls teams.

Experience Level

Senior - expects senior-level experience. Typical guidance in the posting indicates roughly 10+ years of relevant industry experience for MS holders or about 6+ years for PhD holders.

Responsibilities

Deliver validated, production-quality system modeling and simulation tools and workflows to support architecture, design, validation, and calibration decisions.

• Build predictive end-to-end models that translate loss, noise, jitter, drift, crosstalk, false-count rates, and other nonidealities into quantum system performance metrics.
• Ingest and interpret photonic, electronic, and mixed-domain system descriptions, component models, characterization data, and configuration inputs.
• Create reduced-order/behavioral subsystem models and define stable model interfaces exposing inputs, outputs, states, uncertainties, and control knobs.
• Define model validity ranges, assumptions, fidelity levels, and parameter provenance; keep logical, physical, and control models coherent as they evolve.
• Validate models against component, subsystem, and integrated-system measurements; quantify prediction error and uncertainty using sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo, and statistical inference.
• Investigate model-to-hardware discrepancies and drive model closure with documented evidence and corrective actions.
• Develop maintainable, modular simulation software (Python) with automated tests, version control, clear APIs, and reproducible execution.
• Provide user-friendly interfaces, configuration-driven workflows, templates, and visualization/reporting so teams can run approved analyses with minimal support.
• Maintain versioned component and subsystem model libraries synchronized with requirements, characterization data, system configurations, and hardware revisions.
• Work cross-functionally and communicate model behavior, limitations, dominant sensitivities, and recommended actions to technical and executive stakeholders.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, tooling, and behaviors for successful performance in this role.

• Strong foundation in systems modeling for complex, multi-domain physical systems and the ability to connect component behavior to system-level metrics.
• Deep understanding of signal processing, noise analysis, timing and frequency-domain behavior, stochastic processes, and statistical data analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Python scientific computing and experience building production-quality simulation or analysis software usable by other engineers.
• Experience with graph-based system representations, numerical simulation, and model validation for complex physical systems.
• Practical experience with uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis (including Monte Carlo and uncertainty propagation).
• Proficiency with modern version-control tools and collaborative workflows (Git, branching, code review) and software-development best practices (automated tests, reproducible execution).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to explain assumptions, uncertainty, and technical conclusions to both domain experts and system-level decision makers.
• Rigorous, curious mindset; comfortable working across abstraction levels and iterating as designs and data evolve.
• Nice-to-have: experience integrating models into control, calibration, and validation workflows, and domain experience in photonics/electronics modeling.

Education Requirements

MS in Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant industry experience; or PhD in a similar field with 6+ years of relevant industry experience. The posting lists specific technical fields and allows related technical disciplines.

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.