Senior Atomic Physicist
$127k - $166k USD
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 are looking for a Senior Physicist for optical signal chain development. As a Senior Physicist, 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 computers to solve the world’s most complex problems.
In this role, you will do pioneering work on optical signal chains for long-range quantum networks and modular quantum computing. You will work with a world-class team of scientists and engineers to build systems that can rapidly process and store quantum information from photons and apply those systems to building scalable quantum computing systems. Your work will stretch from pioneering systems to operationalizing and scaling optical signal chains that will be the backbone of the world’s largest quantum computers.
Responsibilities:
- Evaluate how pieces of the optical signal chain can be hardened for autonomous operation and production
- Investigate the feasibility in prototype experiments and develop routines that calibrate and maintain the optical setup.
- Benchmarking different variations of the signal chain against each other by comparing signal losses (impacting the rate) with stability (possibly impacting both rate and fidelity) and scalability;
- Coordinate with other teams internally at IonQ and/or with external vendors to develop subcomponents.
You’d be a good fit with:
- PhD in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering
- Work in quantum optics and quantum computing (ideally previous work with single photons)
- Experience designing and testing complex opto-mechanical and opto-electronical setups (including using acousto-optical and electro-optical modulators for intensity and frequency feedback loops)
- Experience in developing automated routines (hardware & software) that calibrate and maintain setups autonomously
You’d be a great fit with:
- Experience in optically-mediated entanglement protocols between qubits
- Experience in quantum frequency conversion
- Experience in writing software for lab environments (preferred language: Python)
Location: Boston, MA
Travel: Occasional domestic travel, 1 to 4 times per year.
Job ID: IONQ-1272
The approximate base salary range for this position is $126,887 - $166,127. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.
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!