Senior Staff Software Engineer - Automation & Calibration

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution.

We are looking for a Senior Staff Software Engineer on the Automation & Calibration Team. As a Senior Staff Software Engineer, you’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to keep the fleet of IonQ’s quantum computers and demonstration systems running autonomously at peak performance and throughput in order to solve the world’s most complex problems faster.

Improving the quality and optimizing the efficiency of our quantum computers requires developing control routines and automated calibrations with our team of experimental physicist operators. Prior experience with control theory, hardware device control, and working with scientists will be helpful; data analysis and statistical methods are even more useful.

We encourage applicants from different career paths for this position. You could be a software engineer with an emerging interest in quantum computing. You could be a quantum researcher with strong software engineering skills and desire to focus on the engineering discipline. We’d love a blend of hands-on experience as well as tactical and strategic direction.

Responsibilities:

• Write software to automate our system behavior to meet business and technical goals

• Write software to calibrate our systems’ physical parameters

• Provide technical expertise in building robust, well-engineered, tested software solutions

• Effectively self-manage projects, priorities, deadlines, and deliverables

• Identify, track and mitigate execution roadblocks and technical risks

• Mentor more junior engineers and team members with different technical backgrounds in your area of expertise

• Listen and learn from team members with different areas of expertise and experiences

You’d be a good fit with:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.

• 13+ years of professional programming experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience) in a general-purpose language like Python, Go, Rust, or C++

• Data analysis skills in areas like statistical testing, modeling, optimization, and/or machine learning.

You’d be a great fit with:

• MS or PhD or equivalent industry experience in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field

• Experience with machine learning and/or mathematical optimization

• A background in digital signal processing and/or control theory

• Experience in working with technical experts outside of traditional software engineering, particularly electrical engineers and physicists

Location: This position can be on-site or hybrid from one of our offices in College Park, MD, or Bothell, WA.
Travel: Occasional, 1-4 per year

The approximate base salary range for this position is $187,358 - $245,300.

Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our US benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance!

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!