Lead the architecture and implementation of compiler tools that optimize quantum circuits while mentoring engineers and shaping product strategy in a cutting-edge technological environment.
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.
As Senior Staff Software Engineer for Compiler and Simulation Tools, you'll serve as the technical lead and primary architect of IonQ's compiler and simulation tooling, partnering closely with the Compiler and QEC teams to drive the strategy and quality of customer-facing tools that quantum developers depend on. You'll own the long-term architecture and maintenance strategy for compilation APIs, SDK integrations, and simulator packages, while setting the engineering bar for how quantum compilation and simulation capabilities are developed, packaged, and delivered.
The Developer Tools team builds the software layer connecting quantum developers to IonQ's quantum computers. In this role, you'll maintain an ecosystem of tooling and shape its direction. You’ll develop an effective open sourcing strategy to make our tools available to the broader quantum ecosystem. You'll translate real-world developer pain points into architectural improvements, define standards for how the team ships production software, and mentor engineers across the team. You'll also serve as a key voice in cross-organizational decisions, protecting the Compiler team's innovation bandwidth while ensuring that their advances reach developers reliably and with exceptional quality.
What You'll Do
You'll lead the architecture and implementation of compiler premium configurations, OpenAPI-based SDK foundations for compilation workflows, and compiler transparency features that give developers deep insight into how their circuits are optimized. You'll own the strategy for packaging and deploying IonQ's noisy simulator as standalone, distributable products for enterprise customers and partner integrations. You'll drive the technical direction for error mitigation production tooling, fault-tolerant quantum computing programming model integrations, and end-to-end testing infrastructure across IonQ's evolving quantum systems.
This role demands both deep technical expertise in quantum compilation and simulation, and the leadership to define how world-class innovations become reliable, well-documented, production-grade software. You'll author formal RFCs and design documents, set architectural precedents, and work across organizational boundaries to align the compiler and simulation roadmap with IonQ's broader strategic goals.
Responsibilities
You'd Be a Good Fit With
You'd Be a Great Fit With
Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from Bothell, Washington (US) or in Oxford, England (UK).
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID: 1331
The approximate base salary range for this position is $200,698 - $262.765. 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!
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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