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Physicist - Resilience Engineering & Operations
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About IonQ:
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.
Location: This role is based at our Bothell, WA office, with the option to work a few days a week remotely.
Travel: 5% or less
Job ID: 1491
The Role:
We’re looking for a Senior System Operations Engineer for our bleeding edge quantum computers that are based on trapped ion technology. You’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to operate and improve IonQ’s industry-leading quantum computers. In the first three months on the job, you’d be learning how to maintain our quantum computers’ hardware and software. Recent graduates in physics and related fields are encouraged to apply; we will train you in quantum computer maintenance and operation!
Responsibilities:
- Participate in follow-the-sun on-call rotations to keep our systems running at peak performance.
- Ensure high uptime and performance of our commercial quantum computers, through alert response, monitoring, and engineering of state-of-the-art quantum computers.
- Work collaboratively with other System Operators on improvements and processes and practices to make operating quantum systems easier and more efficient.
- Communicate with customers to coordinate access and inform on system status.
- Remotely interfacing with quantum systems to impact performance using documented procedures.
- Interpreting telemetry to aid in deeper understanding of quantum system status.
- Clearly communicating with teams working across multiple timezones.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physics, engineering, or another physical science
- Desire and capability to work closely on a team that is distributed - excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset
- Hands on experience with optical alignments, laser stabilization, and/or AOMs
- A propensity for learning new things and fascination with emerging technologies
- Formal training or education in statistics
- Capable of adapting for an ever-growing and ever-changing work environment
- Disposition to work flexible working hours, on a 24/7 oncall shift where the rotation changes as needed
- 1+ year laboratory experience in atomic and/or optical physics
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD in physics, engineering, or another physical science
- Deep experience with Javascript or Python
- A background in data analysis, data science, or machine learning
- Software Engineering experience
The approximate base salary range for this position is $114,750 - $150,237. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.
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.
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!
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