Technical Product Planner – Quantum Systems

Description

Technical Product Planners at Photonic play a critical role at the intersection of customer commitments, product management, and engineering. This role serves as the primary interface between our government customers and our internal engineering, architecture, and research teams—ensuring that complex technical programs are translated into clear, credible, and deliverable product plans.

In this role, you will operate at the intersection of full‑stack quantum product development, hardware and software engineering, systems benchmarking, and high‑stakes customer engagement. Working in product management interpreting requirements between engineering teams and government stakeholders, you will own the articulation of customer requirements and product intent, guide delivery strategy, and ensure technical execution is rigorously evaluated, de‑risked, and aligned with contractual obligations, system‑level performance goals, and Photonic’s long‑term platform strategy. This role offers the opportunity to leverage deep technical understanding to help shape how Photonic’s spin‑qubit technology moves from breakthrough research into credible, contract‑aligned real‑world delivery.

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.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO

• Act as the primary product and technical interface between commercial and government customers and internal engineering teams, translating contract objectives into actionable product plans.
• Lead customer requirements gathering, validation, and change management throughout the lifecycle of government programs.
• Drive product definition and roadmap alignment across hardware, firmware, software, and system architecture teams.
• Define and maintain clear product requirements, milestones, and success criteria aligned with contractual deliverables and system‑level performance goals.
• Work alongside product managers and product planners to create a cohesive product offering.
• Coordinate technical communications, reviews, and deliverables for external stakeholders, ensuring accuracy, credibility, and consistency.
• Partner with engineering and architecture leadership to sequence technical milestones, manage dependencies, and surface execution risks early.
• Establish defensible benchmarking, KPIs, and evaluation frameworks aligned with customer expectations and program criteria.
• Communicate program status, risks, and trade‑offs to executives and cross‑functional partners, enabling informed decision‑making.
• Contribute to long‑term product strategy by connecting near‑term government program execution with Photonic’s broader platform vision.

WHAT YOU BRING TO OUR TEAM

• Master’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience; advanced degrees (e.g., PhD) are common within the team.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in product planning, systems engineering, technical program delivery, application engineering, or adjacent roles in deep‑tech or hardware–software environments.
• Working knowledge of quantum technologies or closely related advanced technology domains (e.g., quantum computing, integrated photonics, semiconductor devices, cryogenic systems), sufficient to engage credibly with senior engineers and technical customers.
• Demonstrated ability to reason at the system level—connecting component‑level performance, technical trade‑offs, and integration challenges to product outcomes and delivery plans.
• Experience translating complex technical progress into clear product requirements, milestones, and customer‑facing deliverables.
• Ability to critically evaluate technical claims, customer requirements, and benchmarking or validation approaches without needing to be the deepest domain expert in the room.
• Strong cross‑functional experience working effectively across engineering, research, architecture, and product teams in fast‑paced, multi‑disciplinary environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with technical, executive, and customer audiences.
• Experience working with external customers in milestone‑driven or contract‑based settings; experience with government or regulated environments in Canada and/or the US is strongly preferred.

An exceptional candidate will bring:

• Direct, hands‑on experience with quantum computing platforms, integrated photonics, or advanced semiconductor systems (including spin‑qubit, photonic, or cryogenic technologies).
• Prior exposure to system benchmarking, performance validation, or technology readiness frameworks in hardware‑centric programs.
• Experience supporting or presenting in high‑stakes technical reviews with government program offices or senior executive stakeholders.

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH US

• 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.

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.