Job Summary:PsiQuantum is seeking a researcher to develop methods for quantum characterization, verification, and validation (QCVV) of large-scale quantum systems. The successful candidate will work on methods for reliably characterizing quantum channels and system-level behavior in regimes where direct reconstruction is impossible. This includes developing scalable protocols, statistical analysis techniques, and simulation methods that connect experimental data to actionable conclusions about quantum performance.
Large-scale simulation is an important part of this role, particularly in the context of characterizing quantum channels, validating QCVV protocols, understanding error mechanisms, and predicting how characterization methods perform on large systems. Relevant experience may include tensor network methods, GPU-accelerated simulation, Monte Carlo methods, stabilizer simulation, and other approaches for modeling large quantum circuits and noisy quantum processes.
PsiQuantum's architecture is based on photonic quantum computing. Prior experience with photonic quantum computing is valuable but not required. Candidates should be eager to learn the relevant photonic concepts and apply their QCVV, modeling, and simulation expertise to a photonic fault-tolerant quantum computing platform.
This is a hands-on technical role in a fast-moving environment. The ideal candidate is comfortable owning research projects end to end, working across disciplines, communicating uncertainty clearly, and translating technical results into decisions that improve system characterization and performance.
Responsibilities:- Develop scalable QCVV methods for characterizing large quantum systems, quantum channels, and system-level quantum behavior.
- Develop statistical and numerical methods for extracting meaningful performance information from limited, noisy, and indirect measurement data.
- Build models that connect observed experimental data to underlying quantum channels, error mechanisms, and system-level performance metrics.
- Use large-scale quantum circuit simulation to evaluate characterization protocols, diagnose failure modes, and understand the behavior of noisy quantum channels.
- Apply simulation methods such as tensor networks, GPU-accelerated computation, stabilizer methods, and Monte Carlo techniques where appropriate.
- Work with experimental, architecture, software, and systems teams to compare measured system behavior against theoretical and numerical models.
- Contribute to the definition of diagnostic observables and data analysis pipelines needed for reliable system characterization.
- Document methods, assumptions, limitations, and results clearly.
- Communicate progress, challenges, uncertainties, and conclusions to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Take ownership of research tasks from problem definition through implementation, validation, analysis, and communication.
Experience/Qualifications:- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Experience characterizing or modeling quantum channels, noisy quantum circuits, quantum processes, or quantum error mechanisms.
- Experience developing numerical simulations for quantum systems, quantum circuits, or noisy quantum processes.
- Programming experience for scientific computing and data analysis, preferably in Python.
- Ability to reason quantitatively about uncertainty, noise, finite statistics, model mismatch, and scalability.
- Ability to work independently on open-ended technical problems while collaborating effectively with specialists across multiple disciplines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical results, assumptions, limitations, and risks clearly.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with one or more QCVV techniques such as randomized benchmarking, gate set tomography, cycle benchmarking, process tomography, shadow tomography, Hamiltonian learning, or related methods.
- Experience with scalable characterization methods for systems where full state or process reconstruction is not possible.
- Experience with tensor network methods for simulating quantum circuits, quantum channels, or noisy quantum processes.
- Experience running large-scale simulations on GPUs, HPC clusters, or distributed computing infrastructure.
- Experience with simulation tools and frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, CUDA, CuPy, NumPy/SciPy, ITensor, Stim, or related tools.
- Familiarity with quantum error correction, fault tolerance, logical error rates, decoder performance, Pauli errors, erasure errors, leakage, or correlated noise.
- Experience analyzing data from experimental quantum hardware platforms.
- Experience with photonic quantum computing, quantum optics, integrated photonics, measurement-based quantum computation, fusion-based quantum computation, or cluster-state models.
- Experience collaborating across theory, software, and experimental teams.
We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.
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
$113,900-$133,800 USD
Zone 3
$101,300-$119,000 USD
Zone 4
$88,600-$104,100 USD
