Product Manager, Applications

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 highly capable and independent Product Manager to help define the future of applications across different industries in this new quantum era. As a member of the product organization, 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 computing solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. Specifically in the product team for quantum applications, you will be identifying and assessing different use cases where quantum computers fit into computational workflows and conduct market sizing and customer discovery.

Product Management in quantum computing is no different from any other field, with the exciting difference that you get to be among the first people in history ever to build it. Quantum computers and quantum applications rely on cutting-edge technologies across diverse engineering disciplines, including Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, data analysis, and a hybrid execution model that relies on both quantum computers and classical computing resources such as High-Performance Computing. Having interest and experience in these fields will serve you well at IonQ, but we don’t expect you to be an expert in any of them. 

You mostly need to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, work well with highly specialized experts, bring in your strategy consulting toolkit, and manage a coherent point of view of what’s important to our end-users and how we might build a thriving applications business. This also includes conducting market analysis, revenue opportunity estimations, channel analysis, working with customers on projects and overall business planning. This is a unique opportunity to significantly impact IonQ’s market success and drive the broader quantum computing industry as it transitions from a vision into reality.

Responsibilities:

1. Primary responsibility: Quantum application strategy development across industries that require continuous knowledge building, market intelligence, and strategic business analysis, including:

1. Drive the application strategy (content and process): Identify, prioritize, and articulate the short-term and long-term potential of quantum applications across industries (including automotive, finance, industrials, chemicals, etc.), bringing your full consultant toolkit to bear

2. Objective business case development: Evaluate the attractiveness of identified quantum applications by conducting a rigorous business analysis for each opportunity including TAM/SAM, estimated bottom-up P&L analysis, key customer segments and their computational pain points, scaling channels, and alignment with IonQ’s hardware roadmap based on resource estimates

3. Technology mastery: Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of IonQ’s quantum computing offering (hardware, software, and unique advantages) and its technical considerations as well as the quantum ecosystem players

2. Customer engagement delivery includes direct customer interaction, technical and business validation, and translating opportunities into executable plans. You will lead customer discovery workshops and deliver custom projects to uncover and advance new quantum application opportunities with a mandate to explore and pursue applications across diverse sectors.

3. Cross-functional product advocacy (esp. GTM) to drive internal and external alignment and commercial success. In particular, you will work closely with the sales, marketing, and other business teams to inform proposals in the sales funnel (e.g., translating customer needs to quantum applications and algorithms), provide input on pricing strategy, business models, product positioning, and competitive analysis.
   
   

You’d be a good fit if you 

• Have 1-2 years of experience in a top tier strategy consulting firm as a consultant/business analyst/associate and have built a well-rounded consulting toolkit
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a reputable university required; we are looking for diverse disciplines incl. non-technical fields (e.g,. business, economics or similar), with a strong track record of analytical and structured thinking
• Have a spike in 
• Analytical modeling (e.g., market sizing models)
• Pragmatic 80/20 approach combined with sound logic that allows you to execute at speed and move forward in ambiguity, e.g., when drafting a first version of a technical analysis where not all details are known yet
• Getting up to speed in a new industry/domain quickly, even when involving a complex technology, incl. structuring the problem space, researching and analyzing pain points and computational workflows, reading technical papers, and moving between details and high-level synthesis
• Are comfortable dealing with advanced technologies, even if you have clear knowledge gaps, while collaborating with a broad range of engineering experts and scientists to achieve product goals
• Enjoy and have practice collaborating with multiple business, research, and engineering teams as well as customers and domain experts incl. interviews to drive concrete results

You’d be a great fit if you.

• Have experience driving innovation strategy or other strategic consulting work that required learning quickly about new technical domains
• Have experience being part of an entrepreneurial team, building a new category or business from scratch, and making products/services successful in their marketplace
• Have contributed to the identification and segmentation of markets for novel advanced technology where the market is nascent and data is limited, incl. driving market sizing
• Have worked with computational scientists or AI/ML engineers in the corporate setting
• Have a strong interest in diving into quantum computing and continuously learning about the technology

Location: This position is remote, with a preference for candidates based on the US East Coast or within Europe—specifically Sweden, the UK, or Switzerland.
Travel: up to 30%
Job ID: 1349

The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $191,047. 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!