Mechanical Design Engineer – Photonic Hardware in Daresbury

PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries. Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics.

By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale.

We are looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation photonic hardware systems. This is an R&D role focused on the mechanical and thermal design, prototyping and validation of high-specification hardware for demanding optical quantum computing. The role will involve developing robust, testable and manufacturable hardware for controlled operating environments, working closely with photonics, systems and architecture colleagues, as well as external partners and suppliers. It will suit a serious engineer with experience of precision experimental or industrial hardware, who is motivated by solving difficult multidisciplinary engineering problems and translating novel concepts into reliable hardware.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the mechanical design of precision hardware systems, from early concepts through prototype build and validation.
• Develop enclosure, packaging and internal layout solutions for hardware operating in controlled or stability-critical environments.
• Design mechanically robust solutions for precision assemblies, including routing, handling, support and integration of sensitive components.
• Support the development of thermal management and temperature stabilisation approaches, including environmental control and, where appropriate, active feedback methods.
• Carry out mechanical and thermal analysis and simulation to inform design choices and identify technical risks.
• Plan and execute validation activities to assess mechanical stability, thermal performance, environmental sensitivity and repeatability.
• Work with photonics, systems architecture and experimental teams to translate system requirements into practical hardware designs.
• Engage with suppliers and external collaborators on components, fabrication methods, manufacturability and assembly approaches.
• Support prototype build activities, including design documentation, drawings, procurement, assembly planning and test support.
• Contribute to the development of hardware that can move from laboratory demonstrator to repeatable and manufacturable system.

Experience/Qualifications Required:

• Degree, apprenticeship-based qualification, or equivalent practical experience in mechanical engineering, physics, engineering science, hardware design or a related discipline.
• Around 1–2 years of relevant post-degree or post-PhD experience, or equivalent hands-on experience in a demanding engineering environment.
• Experience contributing to the design, build and validation of precision hardware or experimental systems.
• Good mechanical design skills, including CAD and production of engineering drawings.
• Experience with mechanical and/or thermal modelling, analysis or simulation.
• Experience working with precision assemblies, fragile components or tightly constrained mechanical systems.
• Strong practical engineering skills, with the ability to move between design, build, test and debugging.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience in high-performance optical, photonic, cryogenic, vacuum or scientific instrumentation systems.
• Experience from demanding experimental hardware environments such as large-scale physics experiments, advanced photonics R&D, precision metrology, aerospace, semiconductor tools, or high-specification laser systems.
• Experience with optomechanical or fibre-based hardware packaging.
• Experience developing mechanically and thermally stable hardware for precision systems.
• Experience with environmental control, thermal stabilisation or feedback-controlled hardware.
• Experience of design for manufacture, prototype iteration and transfer toward repeatable build.
• Familiarity with supplier engagement, specialist fabrication and outsourced manufacturing.
• Equivalent hands-on route into engineering, for example through apprenticeship or technician-to-engineer progression, is equally valued.

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.