Photonics Engineer - Amplifiers

About Xanadu: 

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.
At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before.  What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

As part of the Hardware Team, you will collaborate with an established group of physicists and engineers to advance the optical performance requirements for photonic quantum computing. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Photonic Engineer-Amplifiers to design, develop, and optimize high-power, high-repetition-rate pulsed optical amplifiers. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing the optical amplifiers for Xanadu’s laser and pump subsystem used for quantum computing.

• Design and model pulsed optical amplifier architectures (e.g., EDFA, Yb-doped, Raman, or semiconductor optical amplifiers) to meet specified output power, pulse characteristics, and spectral requirements.
• Select, characterize, and integrate key optical components, develop thermal management strategies and mechanical mounting designs for high-power optical components to ensure system stability and reliability.
• Perform comprehensive characterization and optimization of amplifier performance, including gain, noise figure, polarization extinction ratio, output beam quality, temporal profile (pulse width), spectral purity, average and peak power measurement, and repetition rate confirmation.
• Assemble, align, and test prototype optical amplifier systems in a laboratory environment. Implement and test electronic control systems for pump laser management and system monitoring.
• Generate detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, characterization reports, and operational manuals.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and software engineering teams to ensure successful product integration and manufacturability.

• Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Deep expertise in optical physics, fiber optics, and laser engineering, with a proven track record of developing amplifier systems capable of meeting challenging performance specifications.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in the design, development, and testing of high-power pulsed optical systems, particularly fiber amplifiers.
• Demonstrated experience working with nanosecond-pulsed, high-repetition-rate systems (e.g., 100 MHz/1 ns regime).
• Expertise in managing and mitigating non-linear effects (e.g., Stimulated Raman Scattering, Self-Phase Modulation) in high-peak-power systems.
• Profound understanding of laser physics, fiber optics, and optical materials.
• Expert-level knowledge of optical laboratory equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, autocorrelators).
• Strong programming skills for data acquisition and instrument control (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.

• Experience with polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber components and polarization control.
• Familiarity with environmental testing standards for optical systems (temperature, vibration).
• Experience in transferring R&D prototypes to manufacturing.

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 110,000 - 140,000 CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits