Director, Mechanical Engineering

Department: Hardware Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: British Columbia, Canada (Onsite)

Compensation: CA $193,300 - CA $265,800 / year

Photonic is looking for an experienced, results-driven leader to own the mechanical engineering of our cryogenic sample space and the precision assemblies that surround it. This role covers the mechanical assemblies and quantum modules that transform Photonic’s quantum integrated circuits into operating quantum modules, and the sample space environments inside our existing cryostats where those modules are cooled, aligned, and measured.

These assemblies operate at cryogenic temperatures, in high magnetic fields, and must meet customer expectations for data centre reliability.

Photonic is entering a growth phase following a successful fundraising round. In this role you will transform our mechanical engineering organization and development process. You will scale the team to balance a set of experienced project leads while adding foundational mechanical engineering competencies to meet exacting engineering and precision manufacturing requirements.

• Own mechanical design and delivery of the cryogenic sample space in our existing cryostats: chip mount assemblies, thermal links and thermalization, optical and electrical IO interfaces, magnetic field subassemblies, and gas tuning hardware.
• Own the mechanical assemblies that package Photonic's quantum integrated circuits into quantum modules.
• Own the interfaces between the sample space and the cryostat, the optical excitation and RF delivery segments, and upstream chip pre-qualification systems.
• Build and lead the mechanical engineering organization, setting technical direction, the hiring bar, levelling, and delivery objectives as the team grows.

• Lead the team to engineer complex assemblies, in collaboration with external development and manufacturing partners.
• Build and grow mechanical engineering competence across core disciplines, including structures, dynamics, thermal, fluids, materials, cryogenics, automation and robotics, CAD, and Product Lifecycle Management.
• Own the competency framework for the team, identifying skill gaps and driving targeted development plans as the organization scales.
• Set and defend requirements for the sample space, including thermal resistance and cooling budgets, alignment and positioning tolerances, heat load budgets on each cryostat stage, and operation in high magnetic fields.
• Define the requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies that connect mechanical subsystems with the optical, electrical, and cryogenic elements of Photonic’s quantum modules.
• Set the standard for analysis, simulation, and design methodology, and hold the team to it.
• Foster collaboration between mechanical leads, test and assembly leads, suppliers, and project management to drive execution.

• Enhance the design process with a focus on design, build, and test deliverables, underpinned by Requirements definition and management.
• Ensure the design process is supported by design documentation, design reviews, trade studies, and FMEA.
• Lead design choices with a strong focus on long-term product viability; enforce strict DFX methodologies so systems are optimized for scalable volume manufacturing, ease of field maintenance, and robust testability.
• Strengthen project planning discipline, including resource estimation, scheduling, risk management, and make-versus-buy assessment.
• Ensure projects have the necessary resources, infrastructure, and processes to succeed, proactively identifying and removing blockers.
• Enhance design automation workflows and methodologies to accelerate development and meet…