Senior Software Network Engineer - Quantum Networking

TLDR

Lead innovative projects in quantum networking, applying expertise in high-scale systems to manage distributed solutions and bridge quantum hardware with classical infrastructure.

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 Software Network Engineer to join our cross-functional team. In this role, you will be the primary architect of the high-level service plane, bridging the gap between quantum hardware and classical infrastructure. 

You will tackle the unique challenge of managing a distributed quantum networking and sensing solution, applying your expertise in high-scale systems to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum networks. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Architect, system design, implement, maintain, and operate the high-level service plane for quantum network operations.
  • Build and maintain interfaces using industry-standard protocols to integrate various network devices.
  • Define and enforce network security best practices including Authentication, Authorization, and Accountability (AAA) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). 
  • Support the implementation of secure communication protocols, such as TLS 1.3 and SSH, across the network control plane.

You'd be a good fit with:

  • 5+ years of experience in senior software engineering roles focused on large-scale distributed systems, banking backends, or cloud infrastructure. 
  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline. 
  • Proficiency in Python and/or Go for orchestration and automation frameworks, and C/C++ or Rust for performance-critical components.
  • Proven experience building, deploying, and maintaining Linux/Unix systems, including containerization and secure remote access.
  • Demonstrated ability to architect and implement system- and network- management solutions in virtualized and/or containerized environments.
  • Strong background designing web APIs, distributed systems, and/or real-time systems with a focus on high availability and reliability.
  • A self-starting attitude and experience working cross-functionally to overcome ambiguity

You’d be a great fit with:

  • Deep familiarity with Mutual TLS (mTLS) and certificate-based authentication (X.509)
  • Experience building experiment-supporting frameworks with automated rollback and configuration recovery.
  • Strong background in system-wide audit logging and tamper-evident data structures.
  • Strong interest in quantum science and technologies, record of onboarding in technically and scientifically complex domains
  • Experience working as or close to SRE/DevOps in a cloud or cloud-like environment

Location: Vista (CA), Bothell (WA), Pleasanton (CA)
Travel: Less than 10%
Job ID:  
1269

The approximate base salary range for this position is $128,119 - $167,740.

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!


 

IonQ is pioneering full-stack quantum computing using trapped-ion technology, with the ability to transform critical sectors such as medicine, finance, and artificial intelligence. Their innovations push the boundaries of classical computing, unlocking new possibilities for problem-solving and data analysis.

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Salary
$128,119 – $167,740 per year
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