Distinguished PQC Cryptography & Architecture Leader

About IonQ: 

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.  

Location: This role is based onsite in Geneva, Switzerland.
Travel: 
Job ID: 1891 

ID Quantique (IDQ), part of IonQ, is a global leader in quantum-safe communications. We provide solutions to protect governments, telecommunication infrastructures, and banking & financial institutions from the “harvest-now, decrypt-later” threat, delivering both terrestrial and space-based quantum-safe networks in live operation globally.

The Role: 

We are looking for a Distinguished Leader to provide the overall technical leadership for our post-quantum cryptography (PQC) hardware acceleration programme, part of our quantum-safe product portfolio targeting hardware security module (HSM) and network-appliance applications. As the most senior technical authority of the programme, you will own the end-to-end architecture, from cryptographic algorithm and standards strategy to an FPGA-based product architecture with a clear path to ASIC, and you will set the technical direction across the cryptography, hardware, software and security disciplines involved. This is a rare opportunity to shape a strategic security product line at one of the few companies where quantum-safe security is the core business.

Responsibilities:

You will define the system architecture and microarchitecture of a multi-algorithm PQC accelerator implementing ML-KEM, ML-DSA and SLH-DSA/LMS: hardware/firmware partitioning, throughput and lane sizing derived from real customer traffic models, and a stable core-interface specification that lets cryptographic cores evolve behind a frozen contract. You will own the algorithm and standards strategy (NIST FIPS 203/204/205, CNSA 2.0, FIPS 140-3), drive make/buy and IP-licensing decisions, and shape the security and certification architecture together with our side-channel and compliance specialists. You will set the technical roadmap, arbitrate the hardest cross-domain design decisions, mentor the senior engineers who own each domain, and represent the programme externally with customers, standards bodies, certification laboratories and executive stakeholders.

• Own the end-to-end architecture and technical roadmap of a PQC hardware-acceleration product line (algorithms, microarchitecture, interfaces, and security/certification strategy) from concept to shipping product
• Act as the programme’s most senior technical authority: set direction across disciplines, mentor senior engineers, and represent the technology with customers, standards bodies and executives

Requirements:

We are looking for a candidate with a Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Cryptography or a related field and fifteen or more years of experience architecting complex digital security hardware, including deep, hands-on exposure to cryptographic implementation with genuine post-quantum depth. You are a recognised authority in your field, evidenced by shipped market-defining security products, contributions to standards, publications or patents, and you have taken accelerators, secure elements or HSM-class systems from specification to production more than once.

You are equally credible discussing lattice-based cryptography with a cryptographer, timing closure with an FPGA designer, and certification strategy with a FIPS laboratory, and you can defend an architecture in front of a demanding customer or executive committee. You make well-reasoned build/buy/partner decisions under uncertainty and raise the technical bar of everyone around you. Fluency in English is required; French or German is an advantage.

• Recognised architect of cryptographic or security hardware products, with authoritative depth in PQC algorithms and standards (FIPS 203/204/205, CNSA 2.0, FIPS 140-3)
• Distinguished-level technical leadership: sets direction across domains, mentors senior specialists, and represents the company externally

Preferred Qualifications:

You thrive on ambiguity and ownership, turning a strategic mandate into an architecture, a plan and a working product. You lead through technical authority and clarity rather than hierarchy, you hold quality and security to an uncompromising standard, and you are motivated by building products that will help define quantum-safe infrastructure for the next decade.

 What We Offer:

• A role at one of the fastest growing and most exciting quantum companies in the world
• A competitive compensation scheme, benefits package, and equity plan designed to reward excellence
• Flexible work models that let you balance your life, your family, and your career
• Ongoing training and development to keep your skills sharp and your growth on track
• A career development plan within the IonQ group’s companies
• A dynamic, close-knit environment where you collaborate with a global team of experts
• A performance-driven culture built on trust, teamwork, and shared ambition

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 401(k), 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. 

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!