Quantum Applications Scientist

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’re looking for a Quantum Applications Scientist - Optimization who will be part of a cross-functional team at IonQ whose mission is to deliver the world’s best quantum solutions, on the world’s best quantum computers, to solve the world’s most complex and impactful problems. You will be part of the new Quantum Applications team based in Gothenburg, Sweden and will work closely with the Swedish innovation ecosystem (and beyond!) to create new hybrid quantum applications with significant commercial impact.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop impactful hybrid quantum algorithms and applications that promise commercial advantages in practice and at scale.
• Collaborate with quantum compiler, cloud and hardware engineering teams to develop highly optimized hybrid workflows for trapped-ion quantum computers.
• Contribute knowledge of optimization algorithms and tools (classical and quantum) to evaluate and communicate pros and cons, current state-of-the-art, scaling behavior, trade offs, cross-over points, etc.
• Be part of a client-facing team that finds, defines, and solves problems of real-world interest using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers.
• Build reusable software platforms to grow IonQ’s user base. Integrate first of a kind quantum algorithms into larger end-to-end workflows.

You’d be a good fit with: 

• Doctorate degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Computer Science, or another STEM domain, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience solving problems in transportation, supply chain, logistics, network optimization, smart grids or similar
• Hands-on expertise developing new algorithms and software tools for optimization, operations research, supply chain, logistics, etc. including a track record of peer-reviewed manuscripts and contributions to code bases.
• Expertise in key mathematical techniques used in quantum computing - linear algebra, matrix decompositions, probability theory, symmetry, computational complexity.
• Desire to work closely with customers including aligning with time zones and work schedules. Potential for international travel and/or onsite co-location.

You’d be a great fit with:

• Demonstrated expertise in Python and Qiskit; working knowledge of C++.
• Demonstrated experience with applying commercial and open-source optimization tools to solve problem sets of practical relevance
• Success working directly with clients to define and deliver solutions; excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Experience developing quantum optimization algorithms for NISQ era quantum computers, including hybrid solutions e.g. classical pre/post processing (CPU) and variational (GPU + QPU) energy minimization, QAOA, varQITE, quantum annealing, etc.

Location: This role is located onsite in Gothenberg, Sweden.
Travel: 10% domestic and international, with a focus on visiting customers and clients
Job ID:  1053

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!