IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution.
IonQ's quantum computing hardware is a complex mix of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems, many of which can benefit from ongoing closed-loop calibration to improve the performance and uptime of the computer. We are seeking an experienced Senior Staff Software Engineer - Calibration & Control to implement our next-generation calibration software. You’ll help design and build a closed-loop control system that takes advantage of the huge amount of data we have available about the state of our system. You’ll be responsible for understanding the interplay between the physical and software layers, collaborating with experimental and theoretical physics teams, and helping us scale to meet our performance goals. Help us improve our control systems to build the world’s best quantum computers!
Responsibilities:
- Lead the design, implementation, and deployment of closed-loop calibration systems for our quantum computing hardware
- Ensure the quality of our system through design and code reviews
- Collaborate with an experienced interdisciplinary staff
- Approach problems pragmatically
- Help us continuously improve how we do things
The ideal candidate will have experience leading or contributing to multiple simultaneous product development efforts, projects, and initiatives. You’ll be able to balance technical expertise and savvy with strong business judgment to make great technology choices. You’ll strive for simplicity and demonstrate significant creativity and incisive judgment.
You’d be a good fit with:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or related field
- 10+ years experience in one or more general-purpose programming languages (like Go, Rust, C++, or Python)
- 5+ years professional experience in a field (e.g. robotics) that utilizes feedback control systems and control theory, including classical and modern techniques: PID, frequency domain compensation, root locus, LQR, Kalman filters, and model predictive control
- Experience writing and testing control algorithms on physical hardware, and debugging with hardware-in-the-loop
You’d be a great fit with:
- Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics, or related scientific field
- Experience with using machine learning techniques to inform closed-loop calibrations
- Prior experience working with lasers
- Familiarity with computer vision
- Basic or working knowledge of quantum computers
Location:
IonQ’s operating system team is based in our bright, airy College Park, Maryland Location, due to our highly collaborative and interactive work with the hardware teams building the world’s best quantum computers.
Our HQ is located in College Park, Maryland and we are a 15 minute metro ride from Washington DC. We have also recently announced our new manufacturing and production facility in the Seattle, Washington area. We are actively building out teams in the Washington D.C., Seattle and Toronto metro areas and will want to locate you in one of these geographies. However, IonQ will be expanding into additional geographies both domestically and internationally so don’t let this stop you from applying.
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all, while at the same time 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 in which any individual 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, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, and military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
If you are interested in being a part of this team and mission, we encourage you to apply.
What We Do
Quantum computers are a revolutionizing technology — they have the potential to transform business, society, and the planet for the better, and IonQ is at the forefront of this revolution.
After over 25 years of academic research, IonQ was founded in 2015 by Chris Monroe and Jungsang Kim with $2 million in seed funding from New Enterprise Associates, a license to core technology from the University of Maryland and Duke University, and the goal of taking trapped ion quantum computing out of the lab and into the market. In the following three years, we raised an additional $20 million from GV, Amazon Web Services, and NEA, and built two of the world’s most accurate quantum computers.
In 2019, we raised another $55 million in a round led by Samsung and Mubadala, and announced partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services to make our quantum computers available via the cloud.
In 2020 and 2021, we built additional generations of high performance quantum hardware, added Google Cloud Marketplace to our cloud partner roster and announced a series of collaborations and business partnerships with leading academic and commercial institutions.
On October 1st, 2021, IonQ began trading as IONQ on the New York Stock Exchange, making it the world's first public pure-play quantum computing company. We remain hard at work realizing the world-changing potential of quantum computing.
Why Work With Us
We’re growing a passionate, diverse team of collaborative, creative people. We believe in pursuing innovative, challenging work with integrity, alongside team members we can learn from and grow with.
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IonQ Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Our employees live across the globe, and are only expected to spend as much time on site as they need and/or want during the week. Nearly half of our employees are fully remote and live in several countries including Switzerland, Canada, and the US.