Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer

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.

That approach has since been tested at the highest level of scrutiny the U.S. government applies to emerging technology, and it has held up. In 2025, PsiQuantum closed a $1 billion funding round that valued the company at $7 billion. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a $100 million Letter of Intent under the CHIPS and Science Act, followed by a $125 million agreement with DARPA under Stage C of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, PsiQuantum's most valuable U.S. government agreement to date. This year, we also broke ground on our utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane, Australia, and continued building out our Chicago site. Victor Peng, our CEO, and co-founder Jeremy O'Brien, now Executive Chairman, lead a team and board that reflects how seriously the world is taking this build, joined this year by Intel's Lip-Bu Tan and Atomico's Niklas Zennström.

PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies, including Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical, to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact.

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift, and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we now have the funding, the government validation, and the sites under construction to make it real.

Job Summary

The Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer supports the design, analysis, testing, installation, and commissioning of cryogenic equipment and systems that enable PsiQuantum's quantum computing infrastructure.

This role focuses on cryostat design, cryogenic distribution systems, thermal-fluid modeling, thermal-mechanical modeling, mechanical design, and integration of cryogenic hardware.

Working with senior engineers and cross-functional teams, the Junior Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer applies engineering principles in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and materials to support the development of cryostats and distribution systems. The role provides exposure to the full engineering lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and operational troubleshooting.

The ideal candidate has strong engineering fundamentals, curiosity, and a willingness to learn cryogenic mechanical engineering through both analytical and hands-on work.

They are comfortable working under the guidance of experienced engineers while progressively taking ownership of engineering tasks. They can move between mechanical design, engineering analysis, documentation, testing, manufacturing support, and field activities.

Success in this role requires attention to detail, sound engineering judgment, clear communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, facilities, and supplier teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and analysis of system-level mechanical and thermal-fluid models.
• Support the design of cryostats for quantum computer infrastructure.
• Support the design of cryogenic distribution systems connecting cryoplants and cryostats.
• Perform mechanical design, engineering calculations, and component selection under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Prepare and maintain engineering drawings, models, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Support procurement and manufacturing activities for cryogenic equipment.
• Participate in technical discussions with vendors during design, manufacturing, and testing.
• Support laboratory testing, data collection, and analysis of cryogenic equipment and components.
• Support installation and commissioning activities for cryogenic equipment.
• Assist with the investigation and resolution of field issues related to mechanical and cryogenic systems.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to the identification and resolution of technical risks.
• Work within cross-functional project teams through the different phases of product development.

Experience/Qualifications

• B.SC. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 0–3 years of relevant engineering experience, including internships, academic research, or industry experience.
• Good understanding of fundamental engineering principles, including heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural mechanics.
• Experience with engineering analysis and/or mechanical design tools such as ANSYS Workbench, SolidWorks, Fluent, SpaceClaim, MATLAB, Mathcad, or equivalent tools.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and clearly document assumptions, methods, and results.
• Ability and willingness to work on both analytical and hands-on engineering activities.
• Ability to work effectively with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and handle multiple assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic, internship, research, or industry experience with cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, cryostats, cryocoolers, or cryogenic distribution systems.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), finite difference methods, or thermal-fluid modeling.
• Familiarity with pressure vessels, piping systems, and engineering codes such as ASME BPVC and PED.
• Hands-on experience with fabrication methods such as machining, welding, brazing, soldering, or forming.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Experience creating or reviewing mechanical drawings.
• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5.
• Interest in developing practical experience with manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of complex engineering systems.

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.

Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to [email protected].

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

Base pay is one part of the total compensation package. Full-time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Our compensation ranges reflect the cost of labor across multiple U.S. geographic markets, and we pay based on defined geographic zones. This position may be filled within one of the following U.S. geographic zones, each with its own salary range.

Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, business needs, and internal equity. Your recruiter can share more details about the salary range applicable to your location during the hiring process.

• Zone 1 - Bay Area and NYC
• Zone 2 - Examples include Los Angeles and Washington DC
• Zone 3 - Examples include Austin, Chicago, and Sacramento
• Zone 4 - Examples include Nashville and Phoenix/Tempe and many remote locations

This position includes the following benefits: competitive health coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) with company match, equity grants, access to financial wellness tools and planning resources, wellness benefits, family support programs, life and disability insurance, paid leave programs, company-designated paid holidays, discretionary time off (DTO), and an end-of-year company shutdown. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements and may vary based on location, role, or employment status. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

The estimated annual base salary range for this role is:

Zone 1

$126,600—$148,700 USD

Zone 2

$113,900—$133,800 USD

Zone 3

$101,300—$119,000 USD

Zone 4

$88,600—$104,100 USD