Posted 2 months ago
Layout and Design Engineer - SNSPDs (Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors)
@ Xanadu
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
Xanadu is hiring a Layout and Design Engineer to join its Low Temperature Devices team and develop superconducting nanowire single photon detector components for its fault-tolerant quantum architecture. The role centres on GDS mask layout, physical verification and simulation-tool integration for test structures and production tape-outs. It is a full-time, new position with base salary set by location and experience, plus equity and benefits.
Responsibilities:
- Capture device layout requirements with low temperature device scientists
- Design and execute GDS mask layouts for test structures and tape-outs
- Perform device-level simulations and build automated design pipelines
- Align design strategies with fabrication engineering constraints
- Drive SNSPD performance improvements through layout optimization
Requirements summary:
- MSc or PhD in engineering, science or related field
- 2+ years of industrial experience
- Expert scripted photonic mask design (gdsfactory, ipkiss3, Virtuoso)
- Expert DRC and LVS physical verification
- Expert GDSII/OAS layout for MPW and full mask sets
- Python for design, simulation and data analysis
Tools & skills
Source and dates
Source type not verified · hibob
- Employer posting date
- 2026-09-01
- First seen by our source
- 2026-10-27
- Source record updated
- 2026-10-27
These dates describe the source record, not a live verification that the employer is still hiring. Check the original posting.
Job details
| Seniority | Mid level |
| Department | Engineering |
| Experience | 2+ years |
| Hours per week | 40 (estimated) |
| Work setting | Office, Laboratory |
| Position | Mostly sitting |
| Physical demands | physical low · computer high |
| Languages | English |
| Education | Master’s degree (required), Doctorate (required) |
| Fields of study | Engineering, Science, Physics |
| Perks mentioned | Stock or equity |
Summary and details written by AI from the posting; the employer’s posting is the authority.
Xanadu
Saved company profile
Historical company information from a saved The Jobs API profile (LinkedIn/Crunchbase fields). It is not live-verified; figures may have changed. Missing values remain unknown.
Full company description
Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. is a Canadian quantum technology company, and one of the world's leading photonic quantum hardware providers. Founded in 2016, Xanadu's mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. To achieve this mission, the company has taken a full-stack approach and builds hardware, software, and pursues state-of-the-art research with select partners. The company is also advancing the field of quantum machine learning (QML) through the development of PennyLane, an open-source project that has become a leading software library among quantum researchers and developers. Xanadu is bringing together exceptional minds from around the world to build something extraordinary. Learn more at xanadu.ai
- LinkedIn followers
- 56,801
- People associated on LinkedIn
- 342
- Reported office locations
- Toronto, Ontario M5B 2H7, CA
- Other recorded names
- Xanadu
- Specialties
- Quantum Computing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Cloud Computing
- Quantum Simulations
- and Quantum Algorithms
- Profile identifies a recruitment agency
- No
Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. is a Canadian quantum technology company, and one of the world's leading photonic quantum hardware providers. Founded in 2016, Xanadu's mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. To achieve this mission, the company has taken a full-stack approach and builds hardware, software, and pursues state-of-the-art research with select partners…
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer Hardware Manufacturing |
| Company size | 51-200 employees |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Organization type | Privately Held |
| Year founded | 2016 |
| Specialties | Quantum ComputingArtificial IntelligenceMachine LearningDeep LearningCloud ComputingQuantum Simulationsand Quantum Algorithms |
| Open jobs on Jobsy | 75 |
| View page |
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. 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!
Your role and responsibilities:
The successful candidate will join the Low Temperature Devices team to develop cutting-edge superconducting single-photon detector (SNSPD) components, which are critical to Xanadu's fault-tolerant architecture. In this role, you will help develop our internal PDK, with a focus on complex multiplexed multi-pixel detector arrays. You will also lead mask design for fabrication process optimization, bridging the gap between simulation and experiment by designing advanced test structures and production tape-outs. This position offers unique design experience with state-of-the-art foundry processes through Xanadu's 300mm fabrication partners and rapid 100mm in-house development.
Key responsibilities:
- Capture device layout requirements through close collaboration with the team’s low temperature device scientists.
- Design and execute GDS mask layouts for test structures and production tape-outs, ensuring high-quality fabrication outputs.
- Perform device-level simulations and develop automated pipelines to integrate design environments with simulation tools.
- Regularly interact with the Xanadu Fabrication Engineering team to align design strategies with fabrication capabilities and constraints.
- Other simulation or computational projects that aligns with the hire's expertise
- Drive improvements in key SNSPD performance metrics through layout optimization and innovative design strategies.
Required qualifications and experience:
- MSc or PhD in Engineering, Science, or related field, with 2+ years of experience in an industrial setting
- Expert-level experience with scripted photonic mask design/layout with one or more of the following tools: gdsfactory, ipkiss3, Virtuoso, OptoDesigner, or similar tools.
- Expert-level knowledge and experience in performing physical verification with homemade and/or foundry-provided codes, including DRC (design rule check) and LVS (layout versus schematic) to ensure manufacturing compliance and netlist integrity
- Expert-level experience with generating layout in the format of GDSII/OAS in MPW and dedicated full mask sets
- Experience working in a collaborative team-based development environment, preferably using version control systems such as Git
- Experience collaborating with internal teams and external partners across process integration, packaging, and fabrication
- Experience using Python for component design, simulation, layout, and data analysis
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment
- Strong attention to detail and a rigorous, data-driven approach to problem solving
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred qualifications and experience:
- Background in developing superconducting single photon detectors, circuits and devices.
- Experience designing layouts for superconducting devices (e.g., SNSPDs) and a strong understanding of their operational principles.
- Expertise in layout techniques that account for fabrication effects, such as lithographic rounding, OPC/bias correction, and material non-uniformity, to optimize component performance.
- Simulation experience for device-level modeling (e.g., COMSOL)
This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier-free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at [email protected].
Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Journal
Only you can see this. Kept on this device, and in your account when you sign in.