Lead Physicist - Quantum Computer Integration

About IonQ:

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world's most complex problems. IonQ's newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

We are looking for a Lead Physicist to join our Product Engineering System Integration team whose main task is to commission, calibrate and validate quantum control operations and automated quantum algorithm retrieval and execution by our quantum computers. As a member of the System Integration Team, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most complex problems. You'll work closely with the test and build teams to perform system level optical, mechanical and electrical integration and optimization tasks. You will work closely with optical and mechanical engineers to develop and integrate tooling and processes to optimize your work. You will work with technical leaders across the organization to identify and eliminate pain points and help inform future system design to support faster system commissioning. You have the ability to work primarily from the office and travel to support remote builds.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a technical lead on the Product Engineering team for test, integration and commissioning of the quantum computers.
• Build the tools and processes and documentation to expedite validation and verification of current and future products
• Contribute to the system design, modeling, assembly, and characterization of a trapped ion quantum computer
• Measure and analyze data on the performance of a trapped ion quantum computer
• Use holistic system knowledge and data to identify root cause functional and performance deficiencies and work with different subsystem engineering teams to remediate and improve overall system excellence.

You'd be a good fit with:

• Master's or PhD degree in optical engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in quantum control or sensing preferably of trapped ions or neutral atoms
• Experience with either javascript or python programming.
• Strong desire to be hands-on, with ability to spend the majority of your time working on hardware and systems with the team and being involved at all levels of detail.
• Experience leading teams on complex development projects

You'd be a great fit with:

• Experience aligning and characterizing diffraction limited optical systems and interferometers
• 15+ years of experience leading full-lifecycle development of complex optical systems and experiments.
• Experience with concepts and methods of manufacturing and testing of complex software-controlled optomechanical systems
• Experience working with ion traps or ultra-cold neutral atoms, ultra-high vacuum, and cryogenic systems.

Location: This role will work onsite at our office located in Bothell, WA.
Travel: Up to 25% for specific periods
Job ID: 1245The approximate base salary range for this position is $169,437 - $221,837. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don't let this stop you from applying!

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying "U.S. Person" (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!