Automation Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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:
Quantum computing promises to solve many important problems that could never be solved on any conventional computer. At PsiQuantum we're building a general-purpose silicon photonic quantum computer to tackle these very problems.
We are seeking a Photonic Netlist & Design Automation Engineer to own and scale the layout-to-netlist and multi-physics integration flow for our silicon photonics platform. This role sits at the intersection of photonic circuit design, CAD infrastructure, and electromagnetic (EM) modeling, with responsibility for ensuring schematic, layout, and extracted models remain consistent, automatable, and simulation ready. You will be the technical owner of netlist generation, extraction, verification, and automation pipelines enabling reliable photonic IC tape-outs.
Responsibilities:

• Key member of the software solutions team responsible for developing and deploying software for test systems, product platforms and manufacturing data management.
• Define and maintain the photonic netlist methodology.
• Develop and maintain photonic and electronic LVS flows.
• Generate simulation-ready netlists for circuit/system tools.
• Interface with other teams to deliver PIC netlist artifacts that fit into an overall system design.
• Ensure accurate extraction of parasitics (optical, electrical, thermal).
• Build CI/CD automation pipelines connecting: Layout tools, EM solvers, Circuit simulators.
• Develop Python automation for extraction and model generation.
• Implement regression testing for netlist consistency.
• Improve reproducibility of design-to-simulation workflows.
• Collaborate with PDK engineers to maintain model libraries

Experience/Qualifications:

• Bachelors or other advanced degrees in Computer Science or related engineering fields.
• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 6+ years experience in: Photonic IC design, Analog/mixed-signal CAD/EDA, Custom IC flow automation.
• Strong Python scripting skills.
• Experience with layout tool (KLayout, Cadence Virtuoso, etc.), EM solver (Lumerical FDTD/MODE, HFSS, CST, Tidy3D), Circuit simulator (SPICE, INTERCONNECT, Caphe, PhotonForge).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail-oriented problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record of impactful results.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and juggle multiple priorities and deliver against a schedule.
• Demonstrated interest in quantum computing.
• Ability to contribute to a fast-paced start-up environment.

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 recruiting@psiquantum.com
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
$130,000-$145,000 USD
Bay Area Pay Range
$145,000-$165,000 USD