New

Intern, Photonics

Palo Alto, California, United States

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

The Intern will assist with characterization and analysis of active photonic devices, circuits and systems based on barium titanate (BTO) phase shifters.

Experience/Qualifications

  • Current graduate student in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Material Science, or a related field
  • Knowledge of photonic components and circuits.
  • Experience with electro-optic testing (including grating couplers, polarization synthesisers, power meters, lasers, etc.).
  • Familiarity with electrical characterization techniques (including I-V, C-V).

Soft Skills:

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and presentations.
  • Team-oriented mindset with a proactive approach to learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of high-speed active photonic components (e.g. high-speed electro-optic phase shifters).
  • Experience with high-speed electrical or electro-optic testing (e.g. using VNA’s, function generators, high-speed photodiodes, etc.).
  • Hands on design and simulation experience of silicon photonic components and/or circuits (e.g. Lumerical).
  • Experience with test automation, preferably using Python.

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.

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