Senior Staff Quantum Field Engineer - Federal Department of War

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 Quantum Field Engineer. As a Senior Quantum Field Engineer, you’ll be part of a team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum solutions and solve the world’s most complex problems.  Field Engineering sits at the intersection of customers, markets, products and product teams, algorithms, applications, innovation and strategy - this is the team where ideas become applied and have impact.

Join a nimble team of scientists, engineers, salespeople, marketers, business developers, and product managers to drive an entirely new quantum computing business. We’re seeking versatile engineers and architects skilled in technical sales, technical demos and customer interactions who feel energized to deliver IonQ’s quantum computing products and quantum applications. 

Responsibilities:

• Inspire and co-engineer solutions with the US Department of Defense by explaining IonQ’s strategy, portfolio and answering technical questions about quantum portfolio (compute, network, security, sensing and space) and quantum applications.
• Lead and shepherd client discussions, inspiring them to see how quantum applications can be implemented in their business domain.
• This includes working through business needs and mapping Quantum Algorithms (financial services, bioscience, chemistry and materials, optimization, generative AI, and other domains) into application code and executing Proof-of-Concepts together with the IonQ Application team.
• Share insights from clients with the IonQ Product Management and Engineering teams such that client feedback is incorporated into our products.
• Navigate competitive objection handling
• Translate business needs expressed by our clients into technical work projects in collaboration with other team members.
• Create assets to explain features of our quantum applications and other IonQ quantum products.
• Move dialogs from initial ideation to focused exploration domain through to proof-of-concept and ultimately into production workflows.
• Lead client discovery sessions for business-oriented use cases that uncover potential overlap with the development of useful quantum algorithms, together with the IonQ Application team.
• Partner with marketing, developer relations and business development to grow awareness of IonQ in the world at large.
• Attend industry conferences, as needed, to talk to client and support our booth activities.
• Some travel expected in the US (20%) but opportunities for global travel are available as well for client meeting and IonQ conference activities.
• This is a technical customer-facing role with the appropriate balance of compensation acceleration for success and a base salary to ensure that credibility and technical correctness always comes first.

You’d be a good fit with:

• 10+ years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience in technical customer-facing roles or equivalent capacity.  The ability to communicate (at the various context-appropriate levels of depth) and persuade clearly, have strong EQ, and other customer-facing skills are critical.
• US Citizen, with Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance or have the ability to complete one if required.
• 5+ years of focused experience with technology companies that support US DoD missions.
• Bachelor’s degree or above in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or other STEM field, such as Chemistry, Physics or Engineering
• Motivated learner with a strong interest in quantum computing.
• Mission-oriented person - driven to help the US Federal Government Department of War

You’d be a great fit with: 

• Master's or PhD in a STEM field, perhaps adjacent to quantum computing.
• Time on the customer side in various verticals included leadership roles - this provides customer empathy
• Hands-on experience with Qiskit, Cirq or other quantum computing SDK.
• Proficient in Python and Jupyter Notebooks.
• Expert architecture skills across various technologies (“full stack skills”)
• Experience leading technical events.

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices or fully remote in the US
Travel: 20% travel domestically.
Job ID:  1289

The approximate base salary range for this position is $192,979 - $252,659. 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!