VP, Hardware

About the role

Photonic is building first-of-their-kind quantum computing capabilities at the intersection of photonics, silicon spin qubits, and large-scale technical integration.
 
 As VP, Hardware Engineering, you will own the strategy, structure, and execution of a deeply multidisciplinary organization spanning hardware controls, mechanical, electrical, optical/photonics, FPGA, RF, and cryogenics. You will align these capabilities into a coherent hardware architecture and drive them toward integrated, production-ready technical outcomes. This role demands urgency, technical depth, and the ability to operate effectively where architecture and requirements are still evolving.

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.

• Build, structure, and scale a world-class hardware organization across multiple deep technical domains, establishing strong leadership bench and clear accountability
• Drive hardware architecture and roadmap in alignment with critical engineering and science milestones
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, optical/photonics, FPGA, RF, cryogenics, and related disciplines into cohesive, high-performance hardware capabilities
• Establish execution discipline, program rigor, and delivery predictability without slowing innovation or technical exploration
• Partner tightly with engineering, chips, software, and science teams to ensure end-to-end alignment from component development through technical integration
• Make fast, high-quality technical and organizational decisions in an environment with incomplete data and evolving constraints
• Identify and mitigate hardware-level risks early, ensuring readiness for technical integration and build cycles
• Drive buy-build decisions for key components and partner with procurement team to ensure secure supply chain
• Lead the evolution of Photonic's hardware platforms from experimental systems toward scalable, repeatable, and manufacturable architectures

• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary hardware organizations delivering complex, first-of-a-kind hardware platforms
• Track record of shipping integrated hardware platforms in environments where requirements and architecture evolved during development
• Deep technical credibility across multiple domains (mechanical, electrical, optical/photonics, FPGA, RF. cryogenics, or controls), with the ability to drive alignment across experts
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex, system-level products that require integration across multiple engineering disciplines
• Experience building technical leadership teams and developing high-performing engineering organizations through periods of rapid growth and increasing technical complexity
• Strong operational mindset—able to translate ambitious R&D into executable hardware programs with clear milestones and ownership
• Experience using AI/LLM-assisted analytics features (e.g., Copilot, natural-language querying, AI-supported narrative summaries) with an understanding of limitations, validation steps, and data governance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting insights to both technical teams and executives.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple requests with competing deadlines.

AN EXCEPTIONAL CANDIDATE WILL BRING

• Experience in quantum computing, photonics, semiconductors, or similarly complex, high-performance deep-tech environments
• History of building organizations from early stage through scale, including hiring, structuring, and leadership development
• Deep understanding of hardware/software co-design and its impact on performance, scalability, and manufacturability

Source: Photonic Inc.'s careers page via Pinpoint. Read by TQI on 1 Nov 2026.