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

Senior Cryogenic Technician
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.

Responsibilities
Operate and Maintain Cryogenic Systems

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 and Refine Cryogenic Procedures

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 secure cryogenic operation





Provide input to training materials used by junior technicians and other lab staff

Maintain Cryogenic Infrastructure and Gas Handling

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

Safety and Compliance

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 with Operations and Engineering Teams

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

Documentation and Continuous Improvement

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

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Seven or more years of hands‑on experience operating cryogenic or low‑temperature systems

Demonstrated experience executing and improving cryogenic procedures, not just following them

Strong practical knowledge of closed‑cycle cryogenic systems and cryostats





Experience with high‑vacuum systems, gas handling, and leak detection techniques

Experience working in safety‑critical environments involving cryogens, high‑pressure gases, and vacuum equipment

Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, vacuum, and cryogenic system issues methodically

Strong sense of ownership, situational awareness, and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting cryogenic systems used in quantum or low‑temperature physics experiments

Familiarity with dilution refrigerators or pulse‑tube based cryogenic systems

Experience with oxygen deficiency monitoring systems and safety controls

Experience contributing to operational readiness reviews or procedure development efforts

Education

Technical diploma, apprenticeship, or equivalent hands‑on experience in cryogenics, mechanical systems, or related fields

Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or a related field is an asset but not required

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Physical Requirements

Ability to safely lift and move equipment up to approximately 25 kg using appropriate lifting aids or team assistance

Comfortable working around heavy equipment, compressed gases, and cryogenic systems in a laboratory environment

Benefits

Work closely with some of the brightest innovators in quantum technologies to drive breakthroughs that redefine computing

Take ownership of cryogenic system operation and procedural quality, your expertise directly shapes how we build and scale our technology

Play a key role in enabling cutting‑edge low‑temperature quantum hardware operation

Collaborate daily with Operations, Engineering, and Science teams in an inclusive, cross‑functional environment

Help establish and refine cryogenic operating standards as our systems continue to scale and evolve

Contribute directly to system uptime, safety, and experimental success

At Photonic, we understand that everyone has a different work and life journey. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences, knowing that these very differences inspire innovation and build better teams. If there are any accommodations our team can make throughout our hiring process, please let us know.

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📌 Senior Cryogenic Technician (British Columbia)
🏢 Photonic
📍 British Columbia