Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Field Installation

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 seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer with extensive field deployment experience to plan and execute the assembly and installation of our systems at customer sites globally. As a primary technical resource on the ground, you will own the physical integration of the system, ensuring every subsystem—from precision optomechanics to control electronics—is installed, connected, and validated. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated "hands-on" engineer with a deep background in the assembly, deployment, and testing of complex hardware systems. This is a critical, high-travel position for an engineer who takes personal ownership of hardware delivery and thrives on solving the unique challenges of field-based system integration.

This position requires significant international and domestic travel, including multi-month on-site deployments (up to 12 weeks) to lead system installations and support final checkouts.

Responsibilities: 

• Travel to customer sites to install and integrate complex subsystems across multiple technical disciplines, including optical, control, and cryogenic subsystems. 
• Troubleshoot and drive root cause analysis and corrective action on in-field failures during deployment, coordinating with remote engineering teams as needed.
• Develop and refine detailed assembly instructions, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides tailored for field environments to ensure standardization.
• Develop and maintain tooling and equipment bills of materials (BOMs), and secure solutions for facility and rigging needs for customer-facing system deployments.
• Document field-build challenges and provide actionable feedback to NPI and Design teams, ensuring Design for Excellence is accounted for.
• Document all as-built configurations, deviations, and environment-specific considerations for each installation.
• Develop, mature, and improve assembly, manufacturing, and installation processes for systems deployments.
• Develop lifting strategies for large, heavy, or awkward hardware within the system.

You’d be a good fit with: 

• Ability to travel up to an annual average of 50% both domestically or internationally and be onsite in Bothell the remainder of the time. Must be able to support continuous on-site deployments lasting up to 3 months.
• 5+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in high-tech, engineering driven organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Ability to read complex schematics and drawings, use CAD (SolidWorks), and complete work order (WO) transactions in ERP systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate across all levels of the organization, including customers and suppliers, in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong hands-on attitude and ability to spend significant time actively building IonQ’s systems. 
• Strong customer-focused mindset and ability to interface with customer during on-site deployment as needed

You’d be a great fit with: 

• Proven expertise in aligning and assembling complex free-space optical systems, including lenses, mirrors, and prisms on optical breadboards.
• Ability to design and implement custom jigs and assembly fixtures.
• Direct experience installing complex hardware in data centers or remote laboratories.
• A history of independently resolving hardware failures in the field with minimal supervision.

Location: This role will work onsite at our office located in Bothell, WA.
Travel: An ability to travel (domestically and internationally) up to 1-3 months at a time during deployments and 50% otherwise.
Job ID:  1250

The approximate base salary range for this position is $111,407 - $145,861. 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!