VP, Software Engineering

Photonic is building first-of-their-kind quantum computing capabilities at the intersection of photonics, silicon spin qubits, advanced software systems, and large-scale technical integration.

As VP, Software Engineering, you will define and lead the software strategy that enables Photonic's path from research to scalable quantum computing systems. You will oversee software engineering across core platforms, simulations, compilers, AI, development infrastructure, and software-hardware co-development practices. This role requires a leader who can simultaneously build high-performing software teams, improve engineering execution, and leverage modern AI and agentic development approaches to dramatically increase organizational productivity. You will partner closely with hardware, systems, integrated photonics, product, and research leaders to ensure software capabilities accelerate innovation, improve engineering effectiveness, and enable successful delivery of increasingly sophisticated quantum computing systems.

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.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and scale a world-class software engineering organization across software systems, simulation, compilers, AI, and software infrastructure
• Lead the adoption of AI-assisted and agentic development across Photonic, defining the strategy, operating model, tooling, governance, and organizational changes required to embed these capabilities into everyday engineering work
• Build the platforms, workflows, and enablement practices required to scale AI adoption across engineering while improving quality, security, and developer effectiveness
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve engineering productivity, reduce development latency, shorten learning cycles, and accelerate technical progress
• Define and execute the software strategy required to support Photonic's engineering, product, and commercialization objectives
• Partner closely with Product and Program Management to establish effective end-to-end development processes spanning requirements, prioritization, development, validation, and delivery
• Partner closely with hardware, systems, integrated photonics, and research teams to enable effective software-hardware co-development and ensure software capabilities scale with the increasing complexity of Photonic's quantum computing platform
• Build and mentor a strong software leadership team while establishing modern software engineering practices, technical governance, tooling, automation, execution discipline, and proactive management of software and delivery risks across the organization

Skills

• Proven success leading AI-enabled engineering transformation, including the adoption of AI-assisted and agentic development practices that delivered measurable improvements in productivity, quality, velocity, or organizational effectiveness
• Experience building and scaling software engineering organizations responsible for complex technical products, platforms, or development ecosystems
• Strong technical credibility across modern software architecture, developer platforms, AI-enabled development tools, automation, and software lifecycle management
• Demonstrated success building high-performing engineering cultures that balance innovation, execution, accountability, and technical excellence
• Experience leading software organizations supporting complex hardware, scientific computing, semiconductors, deep-tech platforms, or similarly integrated technical systems
• Deep understanding of software-hardware co-development and its impact on system performance, scalability, reliability, and manufacturabilities
• Strong product and operational mindset, with the ability to connect software investments to defined problems, measurable outcomes, and business priorities
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change-management skills

AN EXCEPTIONAL CANDIDATE WILL BRING

• Experience in quantum computing, photonics, semiconductors, scientific computing, or similarly complex deep-tech environments
• Experience building AI-enabled engineering platforms, developer ecosystems, or software organizations that acted as force multipliers across large technical teams

Benefits

• Work closely with some of the brightest innovators in quantum technologies to drive breakthroughs that redefine computing
• Enjoy a fast-paced and fun environment where you can try new things while solving innovative challenges every day
• Inclusive company culture that values collaboration
• Regular social events and fun activities keep our global team connected
• Competitive compensation package including base salary, stock options, and relocation assistance for global talent
• Comprehensive benefits including extended health, dental, life, long term disability, an employee assistance program, parental leave top-ups, and a flexible spending account

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.