PsiQuantum Selects Jacobs to Deliver One of the World's First Utility-Scale Quantum Computers in Australia

Rhea-AI Summary

Jacobs (NYSE: J) has been selected by PsiQuantum to provide master planning, schematic design, and owner's engineer services for a groundbreaking utility-scale quantum computer facility in Brisbane, Australia. The 540,000 square foot complex will include a main office building, large-scale cryoplant, and Quantum Computing Center.

The project, scheduled to begin construction in late 2025 with completion by end of 2027, will be located near Brisbane Airport. The facility aims to create one of the world's first utility-scale, fault tolerant quantum computers capable of solving complex problems beyond the reach of conventional or AI computers.

This initiative aligns with Australia's National Quantum Strategy and its vision for advancing the quantum industry. The quantum computer will have potential applications across various sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, national defense, and food production.

Positive

• Secured major contract for one of world's first utility-scale quantum computing facilities
• Project leverages Jacobs' #1 ranking in Data Centers, Design, Manufacturing and Industrial Processes
• Contract demonstrates expansion into emerging quantum computing sector
• Long-term project revenue stream through 2027

Negative

• None.

Insights

Engineering and Infrastructure Expert

Jacobs securing the Owner's Engineer role for PsiQuantum's utility-scale quantum computing facility represents a strategically significant contract in an emerging high-technology field. The 540,000 square foot Brisbane facility is not merely another data center project, but positions Jacobs at the forefront of quantum computing infrastructure—potentially one of the most transformative technologies of the coming decade.

The multi-year engagement (construction from late 2025 through 2027) suggests a substantial revenue opportunity though specific contract values weren't disclosed. More importantly, this project leverages Jacobs' existing strengths in mission-critical facilities while expanding their portfolio in quantum computing—an industry projected to grow exponentially.

What's particularly valuable here is how this contract reinforces Jacobs' market leadership in advanced facilities. Their #1 Engineering News-Record ranking in Data Centers and Industrial Processes creates a flywheel effect: elite rankings attract cutting-edge clients like PsiQuantum, which further cements Jacobs' leadership position, potentially leading to additional high-value contracts.

The project's complexity—incorporating a main office building, large-scale cryoplant, and the Quantum Computing Center—aligns perfectly with Jacobs' capability to manage intricate technical systems. This engagement also demonstrates their ability to win work in Australia's growing quantum sector, which has received significant government support through the National Quantum Strategy.

Technology Industry Analyst

PsiQuantum's selection of Jacobs as their implementation partner for one of the world's first utility-scale quantum computers represents an exceptional strategic win with long-term implications. Quantum computing remains in its nascent commercial stage, with most quantum systems still experimental or in scale—making this project a genuine industry breakthrough.

The key differentiator here is the term "utility-scale." Unlike quantum computers with qubits, a utility-scale system aims to achieve commercial viability by solving problems beyond the reach of conventional computing. This positions Jacobs in the quantum computing supply chain at precisely the moment when the technology transitions from theoretical to practical applications.

This contract carries significance beyond immediate revenue. By establishing expertise in quantum computing facility design, Jacobs gains intellectual property and experience that will be increasingly valuable as quantum computing commercially scales. The global quantum computing market is projected to grow dramatically in the coming decade, and physical infrastructure remains one of the most challenging aspects of quantum deployment.

The project's location in Brisbane also strategically positions Jacobs within Australia's quantum ecosystem, which has received $1 billion in government investment. As other nations develop quantum capabilities, Jacobs can leverage this experience to secure additional contracts in what will likely become a competitive field for engineering services.

Owner's Engineer role to leverage decades of global mission critical experience

DALLAS, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE: J) was selected by PsiQuantum to deliver master planning, schematic design, and owner's engineer services for what is poised to be one of the world's first utility-scale, fault tolerant quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia.

Located adjacent to Brisbane Airport, the 540,000 square foot facility will comprise of a main office building, a large-scale cryoplant, and the Quantum Computing Center where the utility-scale quantum computer will be housed. PsiQuantum's utility-scale quantum computer aims to solve commercially valuable problems that no conventional or AI computer could ever solve and will help deliver Australia's National Quantum Strategy and its vision for a thriving quantum industry.

Construction is expected to commence later in 2025 and be completed by the end of 2027.

"Over the past year, Jacobs has collaborated closely with PsiQuantum designing and validating the plans for this facility," said Jacobs President of Global Operations Patrick Hill. "As we transition into the owner's engineer phase, we will draw on more than 30-years of experience delivering high-tech, mission-critical projects across various markets to ensure the facility is secure, scalable and easy to replicate."

"Jacobs brings decades of expertise to our Brisbane project and has been a trusted partner from the very beginning of this project, collaborating closely on the initial design and planning stages," said PsiQuantum COO Fariba Danesh. "Now, as the Owner's Engineer, they are playing a pivotal role in turning our vision into reality—building the world's first utility-scale quantum computer. This ambitious endeavor demands world-class talent, and we're proud to have Jacobs alongside us on this journey."

Quantum computers are regarded as the next significant advancement in computing, offering immense data processing power that surpasses the capabilities of current supercomputers. They have the potential to solve problems previously deemed unsolvable, with commercial applications in vital industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, national defense and food production.

Jacobs is ranked by Engineering News-Record as No.1 in Data Centers, Design, Manufacturing and Industrial Processes in 2024.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow – delivering outcomes and solutions for the world's most complex challenges. With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of almost 45,000, we provide end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities & places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water. From advisory and consulting, feasibility, planning, design, program and lifecycle management, we're creating a more connected and sustainable world. See how at jacobs.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook. 

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. When used herein, words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "future," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations, as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, uncertainties as to, the timing of the award of projects and funding and potential changes to the amounts provided for under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other legislation and executive orders related to governmental spending, and changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances, including the impact of, and changes to tariffs or trade policies, that may adversely impact our future financial positions or results of operations, as well as general economic conditions, including inflation and the actions taken by monetary authorities in response to inflation, changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in capital markets, the possibility of a recession or economic downturn, and increased uncertainty and risks, including policy risks and potential civil unrest, relating to the outcome of elections across our key markets and elevated geopolitical tension and conflicts, among others. For a description of these and additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

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SOURCE Jacobs

FAQ

When will Jacobs (J) complete the PsiQuantum facility construction in Brisbane?

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025 and be completed by the end of 2027.

What is the size of the PsiQuantum facility Jacobs (J) is building in Brisbane?

The facility will be 540,000 square feet, comprising a main office building, large-scale cryoplant, and Quantum Computing Center.

Which industries will benefit from the quantum computer facility Jacobs (J) is building?

The facility will serve healthcare, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, national defense, and food production sectors.

What is Jacobs' (J) role in the PsiQuantum Brisbane project?

Jacobs will provide master planning, schematic design, and owner's engineer services for the quantum computing facility.