Staff Technical Program Manager - Applications
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 Staff Technical Program Manager who will be part of a cross-functional team at IonQ whose mission is to deliver the world’s best quantum solutions in life sciences on the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex and impactful problems. This role is open as part of IonQ’s Quantum Applications team based in either Gothenburg, Sweden or Toronto, Canada. You will work closely with partners within the life sciences innovation ecosystem and beyond to create new hybrid quantum applications with significant commercial impact.
In this role, you will lead a talented team of application scientists to deliver the next generation of quantum computing solutions to real-world customers in the advanced health care and life sciences (HCLS) domain. You’ll work with principal investigators, product managers, customers and innovation partners to drive complex projects through initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling and completion. You will support the delivery of a wide variety of initiatives ranging from bespoke quantum solutions, performance-optimized quantum libraries and platforms, as well as first-of-a-kind quantum applications. You will also help develop multi-generational technology and product roadmaps.
Responsibilities:
- Drive efficient end-to-end delivery of novel quantum HCLS applications built for IonQ quantum computers.
- Lead the transition of technology and capabilities from R&D to commercialization. Define and measure success metrics for each stage of development.
- Create and manage timelines of complex projects, their documentation, milestones and deliverables. Ensure that project dependencies are met, cross-functional resources are aligned, and project teams move forward at a rapid pace.
- Conduct risk analysis and develop risk mitigation plans that result in the successful delivery of projects. Stay ahead of the projects by proactively tackling emerging risks.
- When necessary, roll up your sleeves, dive into technical details, and lead problem solving efforts.
- Communicate with a wide base of stakeholders: internal and external, technical and non-technical. Drive stakeholder alignment and support.
- Maintain and promote operational rigor, reduce waste by implementing the right amount of process without slowing down innovation.
- Work with project, contracting, legal, finance and sales teams to develop proposals, technical volumes and financial reports; ensure regulatory, fiscal and IP compliance.
- Drive quality control and devops processes such as standard work, CI/CD, version control, code style/reviews and automated testing.
- Accommodate occasional travel and flexible work hours to communicate across time zones and ensure customer success, as needed.
You’d be a good fit with:
- B.S. in physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science or another technical domain; or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated prior experience working directly with clients to co-develop advanced computational modeling solutions.
- Demonstrated prior experience delivering complex innovative projects with a significant R&D component.
- Prior experience in information technology or R&D in the HCLS domain.
- Experience leading complex projects using project management tools such as GitHub, Jira, Smartsheet, etc.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Ability to lead through influence without formal authority.
- Strong commitment to customer advocacy, success and customer engagement.
- Ability to work effectively with a strong work ethic and close attention to detail. Capacity to manage a fast-paced dynamic team environment with constantly evolving roles and responsibilities.
You’d be a great fit with:
- M.S. or Ph.D in physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science or another technical domain; or equivalent experience.
- Working knowledge of quantum computing, quantum circuits and quantum software tools, e.g. Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane.
- Demonstrated prior experience developing cloud and high-performance computing applications.
- Demonstrated prior experience transitioning first-of-a-kind software prototypes to commercial products.
- Subject matter expertise in the HCLS domain.
Location: This role will be based onsite in Gothenburg, Sweden, or Toronto, Canada.
Travel: 10% domestic and international, with a focus on visiting customers and partners
Job ID: 1401
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!