Optical Engineer Intern 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:

We are seeking a motivated intern to support our optical packaging and characterization work. This role suits students with a strong foundation in optics, hands-on interest in optical microscopy, and comfort with image analysis software's or Python for measurement and reporting. You will help document methods, collect and summarize measurement data, and support experiments related to surface metrology, and related optical measurement under engineer supervision.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with optical microscopy setup, imaging, and consistent capture of measurement images and metadata.
• Support image processing workflows (e.g., contrast, alignment, feature extraction) using Python or similar tools and help turn results into clear tables or simple plots.
• Contribute to drafting and updating SOPs and work instructions for optical measurement and related steps.
• Organize experimental data, maintain lab notes, and support design-of-experiments summaries for the engineering team.
• Participate in continuous improvement of documentation, data organization, and measurement repeatability.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing (or recently completed) a bachelor's degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Coursework or practical exposure to optical microscopy (imaging modes, resolution, illumination, basic alignment).
• Strong attention to detail, clear written communication, and ability to follow instructions and work collaboratively in a lab environment.
• Familiarity with JMP (or similar statistical software) for data exploration, visualization, or basic design-of-experiments analysis is a plus.
• Image processing experience and/or Python coding for data handling, scripting, or analysis is a plus.
• Familiarity with mechanical bow / wafer or substrate warpage concepts and measurement context is a plus.
• Interest or exposure to optical measurement methods (optical alignment and beam matching, alignment sensitivity, basic metrics) is a plus.

U.S. Intern Hourly Pay Rate Chart 

Education level COMPLETED 

Hourly Rate 

Housing/Commuter Stipend 

Bachelors: In Process 

$27.50 

Variable based on permanent residency location 

Bachelor's Degree 

$31.00 

Variable based on permanent residency location 

Master's: 1st Year 

$36.00 

Variable based on permanent residency location 

Master's Degree 

$40.00 

Variable based on permanent residency location 

PhD: In Process 

$44.00 

Variable based on permanent residency location 

PhD: Near Completion 

$47.00 

Variable based on permanent residency location 

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.