Photonics-based quantum computer platform targeting million-qubit systems
PsiQuantum is building a quantum computer using silicon photonics as its core substrate, with the long-term engineering goal of reaching 1,000,000 qubits and solving error correction—the threshold they identify as necessary for practical utility. The tech stack (Rust, Python, Verilog, SystemVerilog, SolidWorks, FPGA) reveals a hardware-centric organization balancing photonic circuit design with systems and control software. Active hiring is heavily weighted toward engineering (41 roles), with half at senior or staff level, suggesting they're scaling specialized hardware disciplines (cryogenic systems, photonic integrated circuits, thermal-mechanical simulation) rather than adding generalist headcount.
Notable leadership hires: Director, Computing Infrastructure
PsiQuantum, founded in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, designs and builds quantum computers using photonics technology. The company positions photonics as the only viable path to the performance targets required for practical quantum applications in medicine, energy, and finance. Their immediate engineering effort focuses on utility-scale system build-out, quantum data center infrastructure, active photonic component development, and the test and commissioning pipelines needed to validate each generation of hardware. The team spans quantum physicists, semiconductor engineers, systems architects, and software engineers, with operations spanning the US, Australia, the Netherlands, and the UK.
Silicon photonics. The company uses photonic integrated circuits, FPGA, Verilog/SystemVerilog for design, and Rust/Python for control systems. They also deploy cryogenic systems and thermal-mechanical simulation tools for hardware integration.
United States, Australia, Netherlands, and United Kingdom. The US is primary, but the company maintains distributed engineering presence across four countries.
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