Senior Cryogenic Technician

Compensation: The base annual salary range for this full‑time role is $105,000 to $144,400 CAD. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target range for new hire base salary across all Canadian locations. Actual compensation may vary outside of this range and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate’s qualifications, relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs.

Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full‑time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Department: Operations

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Photonic supports the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of cryogenic systems used in our quantum hardware laboratory. This role focuses on hands‑on ownership of cryostats, cryogenic infrastructure, and associated vacuum and gas handling systems that enable low‑temperature quantum experiments. The position is part of the Operations Team and works closely with Lab Technicians who support laboratory readiness and experimental setups, and Assembly Technicians who build and integrate quantum control systems.

The Cryogenic Technician is primarily responsible for cryogenic system operation, safety, and procedural quality while collaborating with engineering and scientific staff during system bring‑up and operation.

This is a senior individual‑contributor role intended for experienced cryogenic technicians who are comfortable improving procedures, identifying risks, and operating in safety‑critical environments.

• Operate, monitor, and maintain closed‑cycle cryogenic systems and cryostats used for quantum hardware experiments
• Execute and oversee cool‑down, steady‑state operation, and warm‑up of cryogenic systems
• Monitor system performance including temperatures, pressures, vacuum levels, and flow conditions
• Identify abnormal operating conditions and take appropriate corrective action

• Develop, refine, and maintain procedures for cool‑down, steady‑state operation, and warm‑up of cryogenic systems
• Improve existing procedures where documentation is incomplete, unclear, or inconsistent
• Create checklists and operational guides to support repeatable and safe cryogenic operation
• Provide input to training materials used by junior technicians and other lab staff

• Operate and maintain high‑vacuum systems associated with cryostats, including pumps, valves, gauges, and seals
• Perform leak checking of vacuum and gas systems using appropriate techniques and instrumentation
• Operate and maintain gas handling systems for helium and nitrogen used for charging, purging, and venting cryogenic systems
• Support the use and maintenance of liquid nitrogen systems used for cold traps and cryogenic support equipment

• Follow and help enforce cryogenic safety practices related to high‑pressure systems, oxygen deficiency hazards, cryogens, and vacuum equipment
• Support compliance with WorkSafeBC, WHMIS, and internal safety requirements
• Participate in hazard assessments, safety reviews, and operational readiness reviews
• Assist in training staff on cryogenic safety, emergency response, and safe operating procedures

• Work alongside Lab Technicians to support experiments and laboratory operations near cryogenic systems
• Coordinate with Assembly Technicians during installation and integration of hardware near cryostats
• Support engineering teams during cryogenic system bring‑up, testing, and troubleshooting
• Provide operational and design‑for‑serviceability feedback to engineering based on hands‑on experience

• Maintain accurate records of system configurations, maintenance activities, and operational history
• Contribute to improving cryogenic system documentation, procedures, and safety materials
• Identify reliability, maintainability, and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies