VP, Software Engineering Application Deadline:

30 November 2026

Department:

Software Engineering

Employment Type:

Full Time

Location:

British Columbia, Canada (Hybrid)

Compensation:

CA$238,700 - CA$328,300 / year

Description Photonic is building first-of-their-kind quantum computing capabilities at the intersection of photonics, silicon spin qubits, advanced software systems, and large-scale technical integration.

As VP, Software Engineering, you will define and lead the software strategy that enables Photonic's path from research to scalable quantum computing systems. You will oversee software engineering across core platforms, simulations, compilers, AI, development infrastructure, and software-hardware co-development practices. This role requires a leader who can simultaneously build high-performing software teams, improve engineering execution, and leverage modern AI and agentic development approaches to dramatically increase organizational productivity. You will partner closely with hardware, systems, integrated photonics, product, and research leaders to ensure software capabilities accelerate innovation, improve engineering effectiveness, and enable successful delivery of increasingly sophisticated quantum computing systems.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO

Build, lead, and scale a world-class software engineering organization across software systems, simulation, compilers, AI, and software infrastructure

Lead the adoption of AI-assisted and agentic development across Photonic, defining the strategy, operating model, tooling, governance, and organizational changes required to embed these capabilities into everyday engineering work

Build the platforms, workflows,



and enablement practices required to scale AI adoption across engineering while improving quality, security, and developer effectiveness

Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve engineering productivity, reduce development latency, shorten learning cycles, and accelerate technical progress

Define and execute the software strategy required to support Photonic's engineering, product, and commercialization objectives

Partner closely with Product and Program Management to establish effective end-to-end development processes spanning requirements, prioritization, development, validation, and delivery

Partner closely with hardware, systems, integrated photonics, and research teams to enable effective software-hardware co-development and ensure software capabilities scale with the increasing complexity of Photonic's quantum computing platform

Build and mentor a strong software leadership team while establishing contemporary software engineering practices, technical governance, tooling, automation, execution discipline, and proactive management of software and delivery risks across the organization

WHAT YOU BRING TO OUR TEAM

Proven success leading AI-enabled engineering transformation, including the adoption of AI-assisted and agentic development practices that delivered measurable improvements in productivity, quality, velocity, or organizational effectiveness





Experience building and scaling software engineering organizations responsible for complex technical products, platforms, or development ecosystems

Strong technical credibility across modern software architecture, developer platforms, AI-enabled development tools, automation, and software lifecycle management

Demonstrated success building high-performing engineering cultures that balance innovation, execution, accountability, and technical excellence

Experience leading software organizations supporting complex hardware, scientific computing, semiconductors, deep-tech platforms, or similarly integrated technical systems

Deep understanding of software-hardware co-development and its impact on system performance, scalability, reliability, and manufacturabilities

Strong product and operational mindset, with the ability to connect software investments to defined problems, measurable outcomes, and business priorities

Excellent leadership, communication, and change-management skills

AN EXCEPTIONAL CANDIDATE WILL BRING

Experience in quantum computing, photonics, semiconductors, scientific computing, or similarly complex deep-tech environments

Experience building AI-enabled engineering platforms, developer ecosystems, or software organizations that acted as force multipliers across large technical teams

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH US

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

Enjoy a fast-paced and fun environment where you can try new things while solving innovative challenges every day

Inclusive company culture that

📌 VP, Software Engineering (Coquitlam)
🏢 Photonic
📍 Coquitlam