Xanadu

Senior Low Temperature Device Engineer (SNSPDs)

Xanadu$150K — $200K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with 2+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience.
  • Proven expertise in the design, layout, and characterization of superconducting single-photon detectors (SNSPDs).
  • Deep understanding of superconducting device physics and single-photon detection mechanisms.
  • Practical skills with cryogenic measurement systems for device characterization.
  • Proficiency in using analog test equipment for high-frequency and low-noise measurements, as well as Python for design and data analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams within a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment.
  • Excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Advance the performance and scalability of the SNSPD platform through innovative device design.
  • Create tapeout-ready GDS layouts for fabrication with external foundries based on device designs.
  • Oversee the complete device development lifecycle, ensuring success from concept to deployment.
  • Develop and execute test plans for cryogenic testing to assess detector performance.
  • Conduct iterative testing to verify optical coupling and stability of the detectors.
  • Analyze performance data to inform ongoing design and process enhancements.
  • Collaborate with teams and partners for effective integration and packaging of devices.

Benefits

  • Equity participation in company growth.
  • Access to comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
  • Opportunities for professional development and further training.
  • Supportive work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration.
Full Job Description
Your role and responsibilities: In this role, you will apply your expertise in superconducting single-photon detector engineering to advance the performance and scalability of our SNSPD platform. As a member of the Low Temperature Devices team, you will be responsible for designing high-performance single-photon detectors with ultra-high system detection efficiency, fast reset times, and scalable integration into large detector arrays. You will work across design, simulation, layout, and testing to take devices from concept through validation and deployment • Drive improvements in key SNSPD performance metrics relevant to Xanadu's architecture through device design and optimization • Translate device designs into tapeout-ready GDS layouts for fabrication with external foundries • Contribute to the end-to-end device development lifecycle, from concept through validation and deployment in multi-pixel arrays • Develop and execute cryogenic test plans to characterize detector performance • Execute iterative cryogenic testing to validate optical coupling, performance repeatability, and long-term stability • Analyze device performance data to inform design iterations and process improvements • Collaborate with internal teams and external partners across process integration, packaging, and fabrication • Contribute to scaling strategies for high-density detector arrays, including layout, integration, and multiplexing constraints Basic qualifications and experience: • PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, plus at least 2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience • Demonstrated experience designing, laying out, and characterizing SNSPDs • Strong understanding of superconducting device physics and single-photon detection mechanisms • Hands-on experience with cryogenic measurement systems and device characterization • Experience using analog test equipment (e.g., VNA, SMU) for high-frequency and low-noise measurements • Experience using Python for component design, simulation, layout, and data analysis • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment • Strong attention to detail and a rigorous, data-driven approach to problem solving • Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred qualifications and experience: • Experience operating sub-Kelvin helium-based cryostats, including cooldown, troubleshooting, and maintenance • Experience with high-bandwidth RF readout and detector interfacing • Simulation experience for device-level modeling (e.g., COMSOL, pyTDGL) • Familiarity with statistical process control and yield optimization in fabrication workflows • Experience with large-scale detector arrays or multiplexed readout architectures This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 150,000 - 200,000 CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

About Xanadu

Xanadu Quantum Technologies is a Canadian quantum computing hardware and software company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company develops cloud accessible photonic quantum computers and develops open-source software for quantum machine learning and simulating quantum photonic devices.
Learn more about Xanadu

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