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Production Technician, Optical Integration and Test
Photonic
Source: Headcount Labs · original listing ↗
Job data: Headcount Labs, ODbL 1.0. Job descriptions belong to their employers.
Posted Oct 24
About this role
Production Technicians in Optical Integration and Test at Photonic own the optical paths that connect our quantum control systems to our qubits, from the fiber array at the chip to the optical control units in the rack. This role is part of the Operations Team and sits at the seam between subsystems, making sure every optical path is qualified, documented, and ready before a system is integrated. Our control systems include custom optical control units, optical detector readout hardware including SNSPD interfaces, and fiber runs into cryogenic environments. You will qualify fiber arrays, perform optical integration testing across control system units, verify optical paths end to end, and support fast, clean bring-up when a control system is first connected to a cryostat with a chip installed. You will work closely with Hardware Controls Engineering, TPI technicians, the Assembly team, cryogenic technicians, and the Precision Mechanical and Metrology technician who qualifies the stages and mounts your fiber arrays depend on. This is a permanent, full-time position, on-site at Photonic's Coquitlam, BC facilities. Please include a cover letter with your resume (in one file) describing how you would be a great fit at Photonic and what attributes you could bring to our growing team. Q ualify Fiber Arrays Inspect and quantify fiber array polish angle with respect to the brass ferrule (e.g. FTO fiber arrays) Execute room-temperature insertion loss measurements on incoming fiber arrays Cold-test fiber arrays for temperature-related changes, including cracking during or after cooling Maintain an inventory of pre-qualified fiber arrays ready for deployment Fiber Array Mounting and Alignment Mount and align fiber arrays according to defined alignment procedures Support all alignment activities that are not chip-facing (direct chip handling and chip approach are performed by TPI technicians) Verify that the fiber array, stage, and mount stack-up is within specification before hand-off for chip approach Optical Integration Testing Perform integration testing of Hardware Controls optical units once installed in the system, verifying that units, interfaces, and interconnects work together as intended (unit-level testing of individual boxes is owned by Hardware Controls) Develop and execute integration test procedures with Hardware Controls Engineering, focused on interfaces between units, racks, and cryostats Record and report integration test results, flag nonconformances to the owning subsystem team, and support root-cause investigation Inspect and clean fiber connectors to industry standards (e.g. IEC 61300-3-35) using inspection scopes and appropriate cleaning tools Clean optical components including dichroics, lenses, and mirrors without damage or contamination System Optical Integration Verify optical paths end to end, from optical control units through rack routing and cryostat feedthroughs to the fiber array, against a per-channel loss budget Perform insertion loss and return loss testing on fiber paths after they are routed in control racks Perform fusion splicing and fiber patching as required Verify fiber runs for SNSPD interfaces and cryostat feedthroughs, including bend radius, strain relief, and labelling Own a ready-for-integration checklist that optical paths must pass before a control system is connected to a cryostat Support first connection of control systems to cryostats with channel-by-channel verification and fast fault isolation, so bring-up time is spent on qubit control rather than optical path debugging Documentation and Process Maintain fiber plant documentation, channel maps, and labelling standards Write and improve alignment, test, and integration procedures based on hands-on experience Track the time from first connection to qubit control and help identify and remove recurring causes of delay Three or more years of hands-on experience in optical, photonics, or fiber optic assembly, alignment, or test Diploma in photonics, laser and optics technology, electronics engineering technology, or equivalent experience Hands-on experience with insertion loss and return loss measurement, optical power meters, and light sources Experience inspecting and cleaning fiber connectors and handling bare fiber and fiber arrays Experience aligning fibers or free-space optics using precision positioners Experience cleaning precision optics such as lenses, mirrors, and dichroics Ability to follow detailed procedures precisely and document results clearly Strong attention to detail, patience with fine work, and a high standard for cleanliness An exceptional candidate will bring: Fusion splicing and OTDR experience Experience with polarization-maintaining fiber, fiber arrays, or photonic integrated circuit (PIC) packaging Exposure to cryogenic or vacuum systems, including cryostat fiber feedthroughs Familiarity with single-photon detectors, including SNSPDs Experience working in a cleanroom or under ESD and contamination controls Familiarity with 19-inch rack systems or telecom and data center fiber infrastructure Experience with system-level integration testing, or writing test procedures and contributing to design reviews Familiarity with PLM and ERP systems (e.g. Arena and Oracle NetSuite) Work closely with some of the brightest innovators in quantum technologies to drive breakthroughs that redefine computing Own the optical paths that connect our control systems to our qubits Directly shorten the time it takes to bring a quantum system from first connection to qubit control Work directly with engineers and scientists in an inclusive, collaborative environment where your input influences how systems are designed, built, and deployed About Photonic Photonic Inc. is a leading quantum technology company developing commercial-scale quantum computers and quantum networks to address some of the world's most pressing challenges in materials science, drug discovery, climate change, and security. The company's approach unlocks performance at scale through unmatched distributed quantum computing capabilities. Photonic's high-connectivity Entanglement First™ architecture leverages a unique qubit modality (optically linked silicon spin qubits) to enable powerful computation, efficient error correction, and seamless integration with existing data center and telecom environments. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations in the United States and United Kingdom, Photonic's team is advancing quantum technologies alongside leading investors, partners, and customers worldwide. The description above is what we think an ideal candidate would look like for this role. At Photonic, we understand that everyone has a different work and life journey. If you feel your experience is close to what we've described, but you might not meet all the requirements, please still apply! All roles listed are for current vacancies. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in reviewing applicant profiles, they do not determine candidate outcomes. Our hiring decisions are made by people, not algorithms. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees' differences, knowing that these very differences inspire innovation and build better teams. If there are any accommodations our team can make throughout our hiring process, please let us know.