Photonic Systems Engineering Program Manager

Posted 3 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
San Diego, CA, USA
In-Office
150K-200K Annually
Senior level
Hardware • Semiconductor • Quantum Computing • Manufacturing
Delivering quantum light engines at scale
The Role
Leads photonic system development projects from planning through integration, testing, installation, and support. Owns scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, risks, and customer-facing execution while coordinating matrixed technical teams. Provides technical and logistical leadership, establishes engineering practices, and manages ambiguity in a startup environment. Requires advanced engineering education, extensive relevant experience, photonic systems expertise, and U.S. person status for access to export-controlled information.
Summary Generated by Built In

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal Project Engineer. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

  • Leads planning and execution of development projects, responsible for project scope, schedule and budget. Represents the company in front of customers and collaborates with functional managers within Engineering and cross-functionally to assure successful project execution.
  • Manages matrixed technical team thru schedule bottlenecks, uncertainty, lack of information and sudden changes, while screening team from external turbulence and assuring highest productivity and focus on success.
  • Provides technical, logistical and problem-solving leadership, develops and employs best engineering practices. Anticipates risks and identifies opportunities, then manages both thru the projects.
  • Responsible for project execution per internally and customer defined processes, reaching, documenting and defending project milestones: requirement, design and test readiness reviews, integration and test events, test reports, installation and support activities.

Requirements
  • This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

  • Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
  • 8 years of relevant experience (including pursuit of relevant higher education), ideally within a startup or technology company.

Skills:

  • Proven record of successfully leading a photonic system development project using structured development process.
  • Expert in a subset of technical areas: systems engineering, optics and photonics, AMO physics, control theory, opto-mechanics, electrical and software engineering.

Startup Mindset:

  • You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
  • You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

Benefits

The expected annual salary range for this position is $150,000-$200,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
  • 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
  • 13 paid company holidays
  • 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

Skills Required

  • U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), due to access to export-controlled information
  • Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field
  • 8 years of relevant experience, including relevant higher education
  • Record of successfully leading a photonic system development project using a structured development process
  • Expertise in at least one technical area, such as systems engineering, optics and photonics, AMO physics, control theory, opto-mechanics, electrical engineering, or software engineering
  • Ability to work creatively and flexibly in a startup environment with ambiguity and change

Monarch Quantum, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Monarch Quantum, Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by Monarch Quantum, Inc..

  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off provisions include 20 PTO days and 13 paid holidays, indicating broad leave availability. A 9/80 schedule is also advertised, adding flexibility with every other Friday off.
  • Retirement Support — Retirement benefits feature a Fidelity 401(k) with a 4% employer match and immediate vesting. This combination signals solid support for long-term savings.
  • Fair & Transparent Compensation — Compensation is presented as competitive with larger San Diego tech employers, and job postings publish substantial salary ranges by role and level. This visibility indicates an intention to align pay with market benchmarks.

Monarch Quantum, Inc. Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: San Diego, CA
160 Employees
Year Founded: 2025

What We Do

Monarch Quantum is a U.S.-based quantum photonics company that designs and manufactures integrated photonics systems, known as Quantum Light Engines™, for quantum computing, sensing, and communications.

Why Work With Us

We’re looking for curious, driven individuals inspired by the intersection of physics, engineering, and imagination. Here, you’ll collaborate with world-class experts to scale transformative quantum solutions, see measurable impact from your work, and grow through mentorship and cross-disciplinary collaboration while benefiting from a flexible,

Gallery

Gallery

Similar Jobs

CrowdStrike Logo CrowdStrike

Development Engineer

Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Remote or Hybrid
USA
11000 Employees
100K-155K Annually

CrowdStrike Logo CrowdStrike

Account Manager

Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Remote or Hybrid
3 Locations
11000 Employees
29-46 Hourly

Tempus AI Logo Tempus AI

Staff Software Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Machine Learning • Analytics • Biotech • Generative AI
Hybrid
2 Locations
3775 Employees
160K-220K Annually

Tempus AI Logo Tempus AI

Senior Software Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Machine Learning • Analytics • Biotech • Generative AI
Hybrid
2 Locations
3775 Employees
140K-160K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Ford Energy Thumbnail
Automotive • Software • Energy • Utilities • Manufacturing • Renewable Energy
US
55 Employees
Revel Thumbnail
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
Marina Del Rey, California
70 Employees
Unusual Machines, Inc. Thumbnail
Hardware • Robotics
Orlando, FL
190 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account