Photonics Engineer - Experimentalist

About Xanadu: 
Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before.  What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:
As part of the Hardware R&D Team, you will work in a world class team of scientists and engineers to expand our efforts in developing key optical elements required for photonic quantum computing. We are seeking a highly skilled Photonic Engineer - Experimentalist to perform the design, development, and experimental validation of cutting-edge photonic systems, with an emphasis on precision optical control and integrated photonics.

• Design, build, and characterize pulse shaping systems to meet specified temporal shape and output power requirements.
• Implement and maintain optical phase-locked loops and related frequency/phase stabilization.
• Perform precision optical measurements, troubleshoot and refine opto-electronic systems for stability, noise reduction, and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with PIC development, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering teams to ensure successful product integration and manufacturability.
• Generate detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, characterization reports, and operational manuals.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• PhD in AMO, Quantum Optics, Photonics, Nonlinear Optics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of optical phase-locking techniques and frequency stabilization.
• Strong understanding of pulse shaping techniques with high-speed IQ modulators, arbitrary waveform generators, and dispersion management.
• Strong experimental background in optical system design and laboratory work.
• Proficiency with laboratory opto-electronic and RF instrumentation such as, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers. 
• Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for data acquisition and analysis.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• 2+ years experience in an industry or national lab setting
• Experience with low-noise optical systems or quantum photonics experiments.
• Familiarity with photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design and testing.
• Experience with integrated photonics platforms (e.g., Si, SiN, LNOI, III-V, or hybrid systems).
• Experience in transferring R&D prototypes to manufacturing.

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 110,000 - 140,000 CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier-free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at recruiting@xanadu.ai.

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.