Senior Design Enablement Engineer

Location: Palo Alto, California, United States

Department: Engineering

Job Summary:

The PsiQuantum Foundry Engineering team is developing a silicon photonics (SiPh) technology platform in collaboration with our partners. Our efforts focus on integrating new materials and process modules that align with PsiQ’s plans for a commercially viable quantum computer. Key innovations include a superconducting single photon detector, ultra-low loss waveguides, light scattering mitigation structures ("dark box"), and a non-linear epitaxial metal oxide switch.

The team's primary responsibilities include enabling new technologies and modules while providing engineering support for the foundry. This involves establishing design rules, creating design manuals, developing reliability and qualification test vehicles, defining process assumptions, computational lithography, process tolerances, wafer acceptance criteria, patterning solutions, tool selection, and process development for new structures and materials. Additionally, the team analyzes inline data to generate effective engineering controls.

The Design Enablement Engineer will support the development of new silicon photonic products in a foundry environment, focusing on tape-out enablement, design rule creation, DRC checks, design for reliability, waiver review submissions, tape-outs, and Process Design Kit (PDK) revisions.

Responsibilities:

• Execute new and updated design rules for photonics dies.
• Act as a technical liaison between PsiQ's photonic design and reliability teams and the foundry.
• Evaluate interactions among layout, design, technology, and fabrication.
• Review DRC waiver requests, conduct technical risk assessments, and ensure proper documentation and approvals.
• Plan and support the execution of engineering samples for system builds.
• Contribute to product qualification activities, assisting in debugging and resolving technology/process issues.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in semiconductor or EDA technologies.
• Proven track record in executing complex cross-department projects and working with leading-edge semiconductor technologies.
• Strong domain knowledge in process development, design manual creation, design rules, and DRC setup; expertise in new product technology development and reliability/qualification test site development.
• Effective team player with the ability to collaborate across departments, sites, and time zones.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, adaptable to diverse audiences.
• Strong critical thinking, creativity, innovation, analytical, and detail-oriented problem-solving skills.
• Highly focused, self-motivated, and capable of working independently with minimal guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Genuine interest in quantum computing.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment.