Job Summary:PsiQuantum is seeking a Machine Controls Engineer to develop and launch controls systems for new automation equipment. This role will partner with equipment, manufacturing, process, and quality engineering teams to bring automated tools from development into stable, high-volume production. The engineer will support equipment at PsiQuantum factories and contract manufacturer (CM) locations, including transferring equipment and controls capabilities to CM teams. The ideal candidate combines hands-on machine controls experience with a strong background in machine vision and automated optical inspection (AOI).
Responsibilities:- Develop and commission machine control systems for new automation equipment, from requirements definition through production launch.
- Design, program, and integrate equipment controls, including PLCs, motion systems, sensors, actuators, and operator interfaces.
- Develop and implement machine vision and AOI systems for inspection, measurement, and process feedback.
- Integrate cameras, lighting, optics, image-processing tools, and inspection results with equipment controls and manufacturing systems.
- Lead equipment bring-up, debugging, qualification, and acceptance activities; support launch and ramp into high-volume production.
- Transfer equipment and controls technology to contract manufacturers, including documentation, training, and production handoff.
- Provide equipment and controls support at internal factories and CM locations.
- Troubleshoot controls, vision, and equipment issues; identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Improve equipment performance, reliability, cycle time, and maintainability.
- Develop controls documentation, including electrical schematics, software documentation, operating procedures, and maintenance instructions.
- Partner with equipment suppliers and internal and CM teams to define specifications, review designs, resolve integration issues, and train manufacturing and maintenance teams.
Experience/Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
- Experience developing machine controls for new automation equipment and launching that equipment into high-volume production.
- Experience with machine vision and automated optical inspection systems required.
- Hands-on experience programming and commissioning industrial control systems.
- Ability to troubleshoot integrated electrical, mechanical, controls, and vision systems and support equipment across internal factories and CM locations.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience with PLCs, motion control, robotics, HMIs, industrial networks, and equipment safety systems.
- Experience integrating vision inspection with production equipment and manufacturing data systems.
- Familiarity with optical alignment and edge-coupling processes.
- Understanding of process automation software and validation methods.
- Experience incorporating statistical process control (SPC) into machine controls.
- Experience transferring equipment or processes to contract manufacturers and supporting production ramp.
- Experience improving equipment performance through production data, process monitoring, and structured problem-solving.
- Experience in semiconductor, photonics, electronics, or other precision manufacturing environments.
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
$126,600-$148,700 USD
Zone 2
$130,900-$133,800 USD
Zone 3
$101,300-$119,000 USD
Zone 4
$88,600-$104,100 USD
