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Senior Staff Scientist - Quantum Financial Services

Bothell, Washington, United States; College Park, Maryland, United States; Remote, US

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 Scientist – Quantum Financial Services. As a Senior Staff Scientist – Quantum Financial Services, 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. Our ideal candidate would be a thought leader of transformative technologies, subject matter expert in quantitative finance, and expert developer of quantum algorithms that are poised to disrupt the finance industry. You will span wide and dig deep to identify, champion and deliver hybrid applications where IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers can unlock new value.

As a role model for a team of PhD application scientists, you will lead by example to develop novel algorithms, core IP and end-to-end workflows that can be incorporated by finance organizations into their workflows. You will also work closely with product, marketing, sales, operations and external customers/partners to brainstorm new ideas, define multi-year roadmaps and represent IonQ at high-visibility conferences. Often in a single day.

Responsibilities:

  • Grow IonQ’s impact and reach across the Financial Services sector by fostering relationships with clients and developing hybrid quantum applications that will deliver commercial impact.
  • Be an intrapreneur within the company to shape, champion and deliver on a multi-year Quantum Financial Services roadmap.
  • Lead by example the process of developing state-of-the-art hybrid quantum applications optimized for CPU, GPU and IonQ trapped-ion QPU.
  • Collaborate across compiler, system, cloud and partner teams to integrate quantum algorithms within larger hybrid software platforms and workflows.
  • Be a go-to technical leader and decision maker for a team of talented PhD scientists 
  • Grow the team capacity both through hiring and developing capabilities from within
  • While this role is remote-friendly and highly flexible, candidates must be able to travel to global customer sites and attend virtual meetings during non-core hours.

You’d be a good fit with:

  • PhD in Computer Science, Math, Physics, Electrical Engineering or similar level of professional experience in a relevant field
  • 13+ years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 7 years of industry experience developing novel algorithms/applications/software for the financial sector, with increasing impact and degrees of responsibility
  • Technical or people leadership experience, including hiring and growing from within
  • Track record of scaling up software from research-grade artifacts (Matlab, Julia, R, Jupyter Notebook) to beta-customer to full release. Experience integrating research-grade artifacts into pre-existing code bases
  • Active portfolio of high-impact scientific papers in quantum computing, AI or ML with a focus on finance applications

You’d be a great fit with:

  • 10+ years of industry experience developing novel algorithms/applications/software for the financial sector, with increasing impact and degrees of responsibility
  • Hands-on experience developing and optimizing quantum algorithms using quantum SDKs such as Qiskit (preferred), CUDA-Q, Cirq, Q#, Penny Lane and Torch Quantum.
  • Success as an originator and team leader to design, develop and deliver solutions that deliver value to the finance industry
  • Professional experience as a trader, quant, FP&A, management consultant, etc.
  • Professional experience developing quantum algorithms for finance; either on an in-house quantum team within a financial organization, or else working at a quantum vendor serving the financial sector


Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD, Bothell, WA) or fully remote in the US.
Travel: Up to 10% with a priority to visit customers and partners
Job ID:  1060

The approximate base salary range for this position is $162,920 - $213,304. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

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!


 

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The position you have applied for may require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying U.S. person status or obtaining any necessary license/confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Accordingly, you will be asked some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. 

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