SVP, Development and Engineering

Department: Development and Engineering

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Description

Photonic is entering a defining phase: advancing from breakthrough research toward disciplined, milestone-driven execution. This requires more than strong individual domains - it requires an engineering organization that can staff, support, and coordinate critical engineering and science work as one execution-focused team.
As SVP, Engineering, you will own the end-to-end performance of engineering across Hardware, Integrated Photonics, Software, and related scientific work. You will align deeply technical domains into a coherent execution model, establish the operating rhythm for engineering (cadence, decision-making, accountability), and drive delivery at company scale. This is a high-impact, high-accountability role where success is measured by milestone achievement, coordinated execution, and tangible technical progress - not activity, not progress in isolation.
You will lead through VPs, scale leadership rapidly, and partner directly with the CEO and executive team to translate strategy into execution. The environment is fast-moving, ambiguous, and unforgiving - this role requires judgment, urgency, and the ability to impose clarity without constraining innovation, simplify and scale.

Please include a cover letter with your resume (in one file) describing how you would be a great fit at Photonic and what attributes you could bring to our growing team.



WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO

• Lead and scale a multi-disciplinary engineering organization through VP-level leaders across hardware, chips, software, and related scientific work
• Establish the operating rhythm for engineering, including planning frameworks, execution cadence, decision-making processes, and clear accountability models
• Drive alignment across engineering and science domains to ensure end-to-end execution from research through critical milestone delivery
• Own delivery outcomes at the company level, ensuring that engineering is staffed, supported, and organized to deliver defined technical milestones on clear timelines
• Build and continuously strengthen a high-performing leadership bench, including hiring, structuring, and developing senior technical leaders
• Introduce execution discipline, program rigour, and quality standards without slowing innovation or technical momentum
• Identify and resolve cross-functional risks early, particularly in integration, architecture evolution, and scaling constraints
• Act as a core partner to the executive team, shaping priorities, sequencing work, and ensuring engineering is aligned with company strategy
  
  
  

WHAT YOU BRING TO OUR TEAM

• Proven experience leading large, complex engineering organizations across multiple technical domains through senior leaders
• Track record of scaling organizations from advanced R&D environments into disciplined product-oriented delivery and milestone execution
• Strong leadership of leaders, with demonstrated ability to align, challenge, and elevate VP-level teams
• Experience delivering complex, cross-functional programs where integration-not individual components-determined success
• Ability to operate effectively in high-ambiguity, high-stakes environments while imposing clarity, structure, and pace
• Deep operational mindset with a focus on outcomes, execution discipline, and organizational effectiveness
• Experience using AI/LLM-assisted analytics features (e.g., Copilot, natural-language querying, AI-supported narrative summaries) with an understanding of limitations, validation steps, and data governance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting insights to both technical teams and executives.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple requests with competing deadlines.

AN EXCEPTIONAL CANDIDATE WILL BRING

• Experience in quantum computing, semiconductors, photonics, or other similarly complex deep-tech environments
• History of building engineering organizations from early stage through scale, including defining structure, cadence, and governance
• Strong instinct for when to impose structure versus when to preserve flexibility in highly innovative environments
  
  
  

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH US

• Work closely with some of the brightest innovators in quantum technologies to drive breakthroughs that redefine computing
• Enjoy a fast-paced and fun environment where you can try new things while solving innovative challenges every day
• Inclusive company culture that values collaboration
• Regular social events and fun activities keep our global team connected
• Competitive compensation package including base salary, stock options, and relocation assistance for global talent
• Comprehensive benefits including extended health, dental, life, long term disability, an employee assistance program, parental leave top-ups, and a flexible spending account
  

The description above is what we think an ideal candidate would look like for this role. At Photonic, we understand that everyone has a different work and life journey. If you feel your experience is close to what we've described, but you might not meet all the requirements, please still apply! All roles listed are for current vacancies. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in reviewing applicant profiles, they do not determine candidate outcomes. Our hiring decisions are made by people, not algorithms. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences, knowing that these very differences inspire innovation and build better teams. If there are any accommodations our team can make throughout our hiring process, please let us know.