X

Xanadu

Photonic quantum hardware and software developer

Photonics Engineer - Experimentalist

Full-Time
CA$110k - CA$140k+ Equity
Expert
PhD
Toronto, ON, Canada
Hybrid
Electrical Engineering

About the job

Requirements
  • A PhD in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, quantum optics, photonics, nonlinear optics, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated understanding of optical phase-locking techniques and frequency stabilization.
  • Strong understanding of pulse shaping techniques with high-speed in-phase/quadrature modulators, arbitrary waveform generators, and dispersion management.
  • A strong experimental background in optical system design and laboratory work.
  • Proficiency with laboratory opto-electronic and radio-frequency instrumentation, such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.
  • Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or a similar language.
Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and characterize pulse shaping systems to meet specified temporal shape and output power requirements.
  • Implement and maintain optical phase-locked loops and related frequency and phase stabilization.
  • Perform precision optical measurements and troubleshoot and refine opto-electronic systems for stability, noise reduction, and performance optimization.
  • Collaborate with photonic integrated circuit development, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering teams to ensure successful product integration and manufacturability.
  • Generate detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, characterization reports, and operational manuals.
Desired Qualifications
  • At least 2 years of experience in an industry or national laboratory setting.
  • Experience with low-noise optical systems or quantum photonics experiments.
  • Familiarity with photonic integrated circuit design and testing.
  • Experience with integrated photonics platforms such as silicon, silicon nitride, lithium niobate on insulator, III-V, or hybrid systems.
  • Experience transferring research and development prototypes to manufacturing.

About the company

Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. builds photonic quantum hardware and software to make quantum computers accessible and useful worldwide. Its products span a full stack of hardware, software, and research collaborations, enabling users to run quantum workloads on photonic processors while leveraging PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum machine learning that connects quantum hardware with familiar programming interfaces. Unlike many peers that focus on a single layer, Xanadu combines hardware development with software tools and active research partnerships to support a broad range of customers including universities, research labs, and tech companies. The company’s goal is to advance quantum technology by bringing together top talent and delivering practical quantum solutions that researchers and industry can use today and tomorrow.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Toronto, Canada

Founded

2016

Get referred to Xanadu

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • August 28, 2026 delivered C$195 million for Inception manufacturing in Toronto.
  • September 2026 deals with AMD, ASML, and Bluefors expand industrial credibility.
  • Q2 2026 cash reached $312.8 million, supporting hiring and roadmap execution.

What critics are saying

  • SEC filings still flag substantial doubt about Xanadu as a going concern.
  • Commercial quantum data-center revenue targets 2029-2030; today's products remain research-grade.
  • Heavy dependence on Canadian subsidies and partners makes funding shocks existential.

What makes Xanadu unique

  • Photonic hardware plus PennyLane software give Xanadu a full-stack quantum platform.
  • Backline with AMD ties PennyLane to classical infrastructure, lowering integration friction.
  • ASML, Bluefors, and Toronto Inception anchor a rare manufacturing-to-data-center strategy.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-3%

2 year growth

-2%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 29th, 2026
Five quantum stocks to watch in 2027, from a $1.9B IQM listing to SEALSQ's 65% growth

Quantum computing stocks moved from niche to mainstream in 2026, as a wave of firms went public through mergers and listings. Several now carry market values in the billions. Infleqtion raised more than $550 million in a February SPAC merger, while Xanadu brought in about $302 million in March. IQM, valued at around $1.9 billion in its SPAC deal, began trading on July 2 as the first European quantum computer maker on a major US exchange. Quantum Computing Inc. holds about $1.3 billion in cash and investments, but its growth has come mainly from acquisitions. SEALSQ, which makes post-quantum security chips, reported $16.3 million in revenue for the first three quarters of 2026, up 65%. Analysts warn of large share price swings.

GoPhotonics
Oct 28th, 2026
Xanadu and ASML Collaborate to Develop Advanced Lithography Processes for Photonic Quantum Hardware

Xanadu and ASML Collaborate to Develop Advanced Lithography Processes for Photonic Quantum Hardware

Aktiencheck.de AG
Oct 19th, 2026
Xanadu secures up to $10M more in DARPA funding for fault-tolerant photonic quantum computing

Xanadu has secured up to $10 million in additional funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to speed up its quantum research and development roadmap. The continued investment reinforces the company's progress toward fault-tolerant, utility-scale photonic quantum computing.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 17th, 2026
Three founder-led Canadian stocks for October 2026: Aritzia, Xanadu, Southern Cross

Simply Wall St has picked three Canadian founder-led stocks to watch as central bankers signal interest rates may stay higher for longer. It argues that leaders with much of their own wealth at stake may suit a costly-money environment. Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) designs and sells women's apparel, with revenue of CA$4.35 billion and a market value of CA$17.02 billion. It plans to grow from more than 80 US stores to at least 180 to 200 boutiques, which raises its fixed costs. Xanadu Quantum Technologies (TSX:XNDU) builds photonic quantum hardware and Pennylane cloud software. It has about $7 million in computer services revenue, no profit, and a market value of roughly $1.44 billion. Southern Cross Gold Consolidated is valued at about CA$2.67 billion. It is drilling its wholly owned Sunday Creek gold and antimony project in Victoria.

Newswire
Oct 16th, 2026
Founder and CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2026 Ontario.

Founder and CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2026 Ontario. Oct 16, 2026, 09:41 ET Christian Weedbrook recognized for advancing Canada's leadership in quantum computing and building technologies designed to solve some of the world's most complex challenges TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ - Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples - Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies (TSX: XNDU), a Canadian company focused on making quantum technology useful and accessible to people everywhere, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Ontario Overall Award winner by an independent judging panel. He was recognized at last night's celebration in Toronto alongside 11 regional winners, a Special Citation recipient and the 2026 Family Business Award of Excellence Award recipients. "Christian has taken a highly complex scientific concept and turned it into a business that's transforming industries," shares Zach Pendley, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario Program Co-Director. "His vision, perseverance and commitment to innovation have helped establish Xanadu as a global leader in quantum computing while demonstrating Canada's ability to compete and lead in this rapidly evolving field." Founded in 2016, Xanadu is developing a new kind of powerful computer that uses light to tackle problems beyond the reach of today's most powerful supercomputers. Under Weedbrook's leadership, the Toronto-based company has transformed breakthrough research into a commercial platform spanning hardware, software and advanced manufacturing, with applications across drug discovery, climate modelling, EV battery development and artificial intelligence. What began as an ambitious vision to make quantum computing practical and accessible has evolved into a company of more than 250 people, driving advancements through innovations such as its Aurora quantum computer and widely adopted PennyLane software platform. By investing in Canadian manufacturing, creating highly skilled jobs and helping strengthen Canada's quantum ecosystem, Weedbrook's impact extends beyond the company. At a time when countries around the world are competing to lead the next generation of technological innovation, he is strengthening Canada's position in one of the world's most important emerging industries. Through Xanadu's work, technologies with the potential to accelerate scientific discovery, improve sustainability and unlock new economic opportunities are moving closer to reality, reinforcing Canada's role in shaping the future of computing. "What sets Christian apart is his ability to pair world-class scientific ambition with a drive to build long-term impact," says Brittany Keenan, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario Program Co-Director. "He isn't just building breakthrough technology, he's helping create an ecosystem that attracts talent to Ontario, fuels innovation and strengthens Canada's long-term competitiveness on the global stage." Dan Park and Stephen Seibel | Clutch (Marketplaces and Digital Platforms) Kim Sibley, John van Logtenstein and Mike van Logtenstein | Dairy Lane Systems (Manufacturing) Jayme Jenkins and Jessica Stevenson | Everist (Sustainability Leader) Hugo Hodgett | H2 Analytics (Critical Infrastructure and Systems) Zechariah Thomas | Swift Hockey (Market Disruptor) Elizabeth Goldspink | Wellex (Health and Life Sciences) James Yurichuk | Wuxly (Product Innovator) EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Ontario Special Citation recipient: EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Family Business Award of Excellence recipients: What's next? As the Ontario region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026, Christian will compete with winners from the Pacific, Prairies and Eastern regions for the national title of Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026. The national award will be presented at a celebration on November 24, 2026, in Toronto. Canada's winner will then advance to the global stage in 2027 to compete with more than 50 other country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year(TM) hosted in Monaco. More information Follow @EYCanada and #EOYOntario on social for the latest event updates. Visit ey.com/ca/EOY for more program details and a complete list of finalists and winners. About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program shines a spotlight on entrepreneurs across Canada who master the artful balance of passion, determination, character and skill to create businesses that address the most complex challenges and build a better working world. By joining the program, you'll have the opportunity to celebrate success with your team, inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and gain access to an exclusive global network of program participants that help to build connections, fuel success and navigate long-term growth. The 2026 Ontario independent judging panel comprises Len Anderson, CEO, Renaissance Repair and Supply; Kathy Cheng, President, Redwood Classics Apparel; Karen Greve Young, CEO, Futurpreneur; Judith Ma, Director, Private Equity, OMERS; Nicolas Mulroney, Co-Founder, Chairman, CEO and President, Bond Bakery Brands Limited; and Adrian Rocca, Founder and CEO, Fitzrovia. This year's national program sponsors are Air Canada, TSX Inc., The Globe and Mail and The Printing House. The Ontario regional program sponsors are DLA Piper and Vaco. EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fuelled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com/ca. SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young) For further information, please contact: Jenna Ng Liet Hing, [email protected], +1 416 943 3336