Head of Photonics

Summary

We are seeking a Head of Photonics to lead the company’s photonics strategy and execution across research, development, and deployment. This role owns the full photonics function within QuEra’s R&D organization and is responsible for defining and delivering next-generation optical systems—including photonic integrated circuits (PICs), hybrid optical platforms, and free-space delivery architectures—to support the scaling of neutral atom quantum processors.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in integrated photonics and optical system design with demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams. This is a strategic and hands-on position, requiring close collaboration with system architects, quantum physicists, and fabrication partners to build photonics subsystems that meet the demanding performance, reliability, and scalability requirements of quantum hardware.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organizational and technical lead for photonics at QuEra, overseeing strategy, architecture, execution, and team development.
• Define and own the photonics technology roadmap to enable scalable control of large-scale neutral atom quantum systems.
• Lead design and development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for optical beam routing, modulation, and distribution.
• Architect hybrid optical platforms combining integrated photonics, free-space optics, and fiber delivery systems.
• Oversee tape-outs, packaging, and bring-up of photonic devices; collaborate with CMOS foundries on PDKs, design flows, and fabrication cycles.
• Drive system-level integration and validation of optical subsystems, including lasers, beam steering elements, fiber arrays, and opto-mechanics.
• Establish and refine experimental testbeds for characterization and calibration of photonic components and modules.
• Analyze and optimize system performance metrics such as loss, fidelity, stability, crosstalk, and latency.
• Build and lead a high-performing photonics engineering team; define hiring needs, mentor junior engineers, and support technical growth.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration across quantum control, systems engineering, software, and physics groups.
• Represent the photonics function in company-level planning and technical reviews.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in PIC design and development, including modeling, simulation, layout, and fabrication.
• 5+ years of experience working with quantum systems or complex optical control systems, including test and integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading R&D programs involving photonic platforms.
• Strong expertise in simulation and design tools (e.g., Lumerical, COMSOL, KLayout, IPKISS).
• Proficiency with optical alignment, laser systems, fiber optics, and optical metrology.
• Programming background in Python for experimental control and automation.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams and delivering complex hardware systems.
• Strong communication and project management skills across scientific, engineering, and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with scalable optical architectures in neutral atom or ion-based quantum computing platforms.
• Familiarity with photonics packaging, thermal management, and mechanical alignment at scale.
• Contributions to commercial photonics toolkits, open-source libraries, or hardware products.
• Publications, patents, or deployed systems demonstrating technical innovation in photonics or quantum hardware.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $170,000-$255,000.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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