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Quantum Photonics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Candidates with expertise in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, optical clocks, spectroscopy, precision metrology, quantum sensing, or applied photonics are also strongly encouraged to apply ...

Support senior engineers in designing photonic circuits that support quantum algorithms and protocols * Assist with the integration of photonics with light sources, detectors, and control systems

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Quantum Photonics information

What is a quantum photonics?

A Quantum Photonics job involves researching, developing, and applying quantum technologies that manipulate light at the quantum level. Professionals in this field work on quantum communication, quantum computing, and advanced optical systems using principles like quantum entanglement and single-photon generation. Roles can be found in academia, government labs, and tech companies developing next-generation photonic devices. A strong background in quantum mechanics, optics, and nanophotonics is typically required.

What does a quantum photonics do?

Professionals in Quantum Photonics often work on designing, executing, and analyzing experiments involving quantum light sources and photonic devices. Their daily activities may include setting up and calibrating optical equipment, running computational models, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams such as engineers, researchers, and product specialists. They may also contribute to research papers, attend project meetings, and assist in the development of prototypes for quantum communication or sensing applications. The work environment is generally a blend of laboratory research and collaboration, making each day dynamic and intellectually stimulating.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the quantum photonics position?

To thrive in Quantum Photonics, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and quantum mechanics, often supported by a graduate degree in physics, electrical engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment such as lasers, single-photon detectors, and quantum simulation software, as well as experience with programming languages like Python or MATLAB, is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills are essential soft skills. These capabilities are crucial for innovative research, successful experimentation, and collaboration in advancing quantum technologies.

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States with the most job openings for Quantum Photonics jobs include:

Infographic showing various Quantum Photonics job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 69% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution.

Director of Photonics Systems Engineering

Monarch Quantum

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as Director of Photonics Systems Engineering. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of Photonics Systems Engineers responsible for defining, architecting, and delivering complex photonics systems that are scalable, maintainable, reliable, and cost-optimized for volume production.
This role owns the overall system architecture - including laser architecture, optical subsystems, control electronics, firmware/software interaction, and system integration strategy - ensuring alignment between customer requirements, product strategy, and manufacturing readiness.
The Director drives the team of systems engineer's technical rigor across requirements definition, architecture trade studies, risk reduction, and customer technical engagement.
Your key responsibilities are as follows:
Systems Architecture & Technical Leadership
  • Lead development of end-to-end photonics system architectures, including:
    • Photonic module and subsystem partitioning
    • Laser frequency stabilization architectures
    • Optical power control systems
    • Frequency and phase control architectures
  • Oversee architecture trade studies balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, scalability, and cost.
  • Guide architecture decisions from early concept through production release.

Requirements & Flowdown Ownership
  • Establish system-level requirements from customer specifications and product strategy.
  • Lead formal requirements decomposition and traceability:
    • System requirements
    • Subsystem and module requirements
    • Interface requirements
  • Ensure clean, auditable requirement flowdown into hardware, optics, firmware, and software teams and module teams.
  • Oversee Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
  • Drive disciplined change management and configuration control.

Risk Reduction & Technical Validation
  • Direct key risk-reduction experiments and early prototype builds.
  • Own mitigation plans for:
    • Frequency stability risks
    • Phase noise risks
    • Optical power stability
    • Thermal drift
    • Environmental sensitivity
  • Ensure validation plans de-risk control loop stability, noise performance, alignment tolerances, and lifetime reliability.
  • Champion early modeling-to-hardware correlation.

Customer Technical Interface
  • Serve as senior technical interface to customers.
  • Lead technical reviews, architecture presentations, and design reviews.
  • Work with the project engineering team to translate customer performance requirements into executable engineering plans.
  • Support proposal development and technical roadmap alignment.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build and manage a high-performance systems engineering team.
  • Develop systems engineering processes, templates, and best practices.
  • Mentor engineers in:
    • Architecture development
    • Requirements rigor
    • Trade study methodology
    • Structured technical decision-making
  • Foster cross-functional collaboration between optics, laser design, electronics, firmware, reliability, manufacturing, and project management teams.

Cross-Functional Integration
  • Partner with:
    • Laser design teams
    • Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) teams
    • Control electronics teams
    • Software/Firmware engineering
    • Reliability engineering
    • Manufacturing engineering
  • Ensure system architecture supports high-volume manufacturing and long-term product maintainability.
  • Align system performance targets with cost and supply chain constraints.

Requirements
  • This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)

Experience:
    • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or related field.
    • 12+ years of experience in photonics or laser systems development.
    • 5+ years managing technical teams.
  • Deep experience in:
    • Laser architectures (DFB, ECDL, fiber lasers, integrated photonics)
    • Frequency stabilization techniques (locking, feedback control, cavity stabilization, etc.)
    • Phase and frequency noise management
    • Optical power control systems
    • Closed-loop control systems
  • Demonstrated experience building complex photonics systems from concept through production.
  • Strong background in requirements management and systems engineering methodologies.
  • Experience working directly with external customers in high-technology environments.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with scalable/high-volume photonics manufacturing.
  • Experience in telecommunications, quantum photonics, sensing, LiDAR, or coherent optical systems.
  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
  • Experience leading architecture reviews and technical design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
  • Strong understanding of reliability engineering principles for photonic systems

Startup Mindset:
  • You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
  • You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

Benefits
The expected annual salary range for this position is $200,000-$300,000.
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch's comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
  • 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
  • 13 paid company holidays
  • 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.