PsiQuantum

Cryostat Equipment Engineer

PsiQuantum$104K — $122K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Hands-on experience with high-vacuum or ultra-high-vacuum systems.
  • Experience installing, commissioning, and maintaining complex lab or industrial equipment.
  • Familiarity with cryogenic systems (e.g., dilution refrigerators, liquid helium systems).
  • Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

  • Install and commission quantum computing cryostats, integrating mechanical and electrical subsystems.
  • Operate and maintain high-vacuum systems including pumps and leak detection equipment.
  • Develop and execute commissioning procedures, acceptance tests, and validation protocols.
  • Monitor performance, diagnose faults, and perform maintenance on cryostats.
  • Interface with instrumentation systems like temperature sensors and data acquisition systems.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system reliability and uptime.
  • Maintain detailed documentation of systems, procedures, and modifications.

Benefits

  • Competitive health coverage for employees and dependents.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Equity grants and financial wellness resources.
  • Wellness benefits and family support programs.
  • Life and disability insurance with paid leave programs.
  • Company-designated paid holidays and discretionary time off.
  • End-of-year company shutdown provides additional time off.
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

PsiQuantum is seeking a Cryostat Equipment Engineer to lead the installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance of advanced cryogenic systems supporting our quantum computing hardware. This role is critical to ensuring the reliable operation of large-scale cryostats and associated vacuum and instrumentation systems in a cutting-edge R&D and production environment.

Responsibilities:
  • Install and commission quantum computing cryostats, including integration with mechanical, electrical, and control subsystems.
  • Operate and maintain high-vacuum systems (UHV/HPV), including pumps, gauges, valves, and leak detection equipment.
  • Develop and execute commissioning procedures, acceptance tests, and system validation protocols.
  • Monitor cryostat performance, diagnose faults, and perform preventative and corrective maintenance.
  • Interface with instrumentation systems (temperature sensors, pressure transducers, flow controllers, and data acquisition systems).
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (quantum hardware, facilities, controls, and safety) to ensure system reliability and uptime.
  • Maintain detailed documentation, including schematics, procedures, maintenance logs, and system modifications.
  • Support continuous improvement efforts in system design, reliability, and operational efficiency.
  • Ensure compliance with safety standards related to cryogens, vacuum systems, and high-voltage equipment.

Experience/Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • Hands-on experience with high-vacuum or ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) systems.
  • Experience installing, commissioning, and maintaining complex equipment in a lab or industrial setting.
  • Familiarity with cryogenic systems (e.g., dilution refrigerators, liquid helium systems, or closed-cycle cryocoolers).
  • Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and electrical schematics.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working with cryostats in quantum computing, superconducting systems, or low-temperature physics environments.
  • Knowledge of vacuum system design, leak detection (helium mass spectrometry), and materials compatibility.
  • Familiarity with control systems (e.g., PLCs, LabVIEW, or similar platforms).
  • Experience in a cleanroom or semiconductor environment.
  • Advanced degree in a relevant field.

Base pay is one part of the total compensation package. Full-time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Our compensation ranges reflect the cost of labor across multiple U.S. geographic markets, and we pay based on defined geographic zones. This position may be filled within one of the following U.S. geographic zones, each with its own salary range.

Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, business needs, and internal equity. Your recruiter can share more details about the salary range applicable to your location during the hiring process.
  • Zone 1 - Bay Area and NYC
  • Zone 2 - Examples include Los Angeles and Washington DC
  • Zone 3 - Examples include Austin, Chicago, and Sacramento
  • Zone 4 - Examples include Nashville and Phoenix/Tempe and many remote locations

This position includes the following benefits: competitive health coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) with company match, equity grants, access to financial wellness tools and planning resources, wellness benefits, family support programs, life and disability insurance, paid leave programs, company-designated paid holidays, discretionary time off (DTO), and an end-of-year company shutdown. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements and may vary based on location, role, or employment status. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

The estimated annual base salary range for this role is:

Zone 1

$104,300-$122,600 USD

Zone 2

$93,900-$110,300 USD

Zone 3

$83,500-$98,100 USD

Zone 4

$73,000-$85,800 USD

About PsiQuantum

PsiQuantum is a California-based company that is developing a quantum computer using photonics technology. The company's goal is to build a fault-tolerant quantum computer with millions of qubits, which would be capable of solving problems that are currently intractable with classical computers. PsiQuantum was founded in 2016 by a team of experts in photonics, quantum computing, and computer science. The company has received funding from investors such as BlackRock, Founders Fund, and Atomico.
Learn more about PsiQuantum
Size
100 employees
Industry
Founded
2016

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