Staff FPGA Engineer

Posted 8 Days Ago
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Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, GBR
Hybrid
Expert/Leader
Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Software • Quantum Computing
Building the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems.
The Role
Design, architect, verify, and debug FPGA-based signal processing and real-time control systems for quantum computers. Responsibilities include RTL development, high-speed waveform generation, digital control loops, simulation, unit and system testing, documentation, and laboratory debugging. The role requires cross-functional collaboration with board design and software teams and expertise in FPGA verification, SystemVerilog, embedded interfaces, high-speed ADC/DAC and memory interfaces, and complex measurement equipment.
Summary Generated by Built In

About IonQ: 

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.  

What to expect:

We are looking for a Staff FPGA Engineer to join our FPGA Team at IonQ. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and developing FPGA features, contributing to the team’s mission of delivering best in class control systems. You’ll play an important part in shaping hardware that supports our work in building the world’s most advanced quantum systems.


What you’ll be responsible for:

In this position, you will work on designing, developing and testing RTL modules, supporting the effective delivery of real-time control logic for quantum control systems. You’ll have the opportunity to own, architect, and develop critical control functions, contributing directly to the success of operating a quantum computer.

  • Work independently to design and implement FPGA based signal processing and control functions and develop functional block specifications based on system level requirements
  • Perform logic design using Vivado (Verilog or VHDL, IP Catalog, and Block Design as well as perform logic simulation/verification using simulation/verification software
  • Simulate signal processing and control algorithms in software
  • Implement and test firmware for high speed waveform generation and digital control loops. Write test procedures, perform unit and system level testing and debug, document test results

Requirements

To be successful, you will need strong FPGA design and verification experience and experience working on complex systems. You will have experience in development, verification, and debugging of FPGA-based systems, with a strong focus on signal processing and high-performance embedded solutions. We’re looking for someone who can work cross-functionally to gather requirements, architect, design, and contribute effectively within a fast-moving, highly technical team.

To be successful in this position, you will need a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field, along with at least 10 years of hands-on FPGA development experience. You should have detailed knowledge of FPGA-based signal processing techniques including DDC/DUC, DDS, and FIR/IIR filters, as well as strong experience in FPGA verification and SystemVerilog development. We’re looking for someone who is fluent in modelling and simulation using Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink, with practical experience in code coverage, functional coverage, and industry-standard verification tools such as Synopsys, Cadence, and ModelSim. Familiarity with Xilinx Ultrascale+ MPSoC devices and common peripheral interfaces including SPI, I2C, UART, and USB is also essential.

You will also be confident using JTAG and Integrated Logic Analyzers for system debugging and proficient with complex laboratory equipment such as signal generators, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers.

You'd be a great fit with:

  • Experience with ASIC design and tapeout process
  • Experience implementing digital control (PID, feedforward, MIMO) algorithms in FPGA firmware
  • Prior experience with high speed interface design and verification including ADC/DAC (DDR and JESD204B), DDR3/4 MIG, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet
  • Working knowledge of embedded linux and linux device drivers
  • Experience using GitLab for automated firmware build and validation
  • Experience working closely with board design and software development teams

Benefits 

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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 401(k), 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. 

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! 

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field
  • At least 10 years of hands-on FPGA development experience
  • Strong FPGA design, verification, and debugging experience
  • Experience designing FPGA-based signal processing and high-performance embedded systems
  • Knowledge of DDC, DUC, DDS, and FIR/IIR filters
  • Strong FPGA verification and SystemVerilog development experience
  • Proficiency modeling and simulating with Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink
  • Experience with code coverage, functional coverage, and Synopsys, Cadence, or ModelSim verification tools
  • Familiarity with Xilinx Ultrascale+ MPSoC devices
  • Experience with SPI, I2C, UART, and USB peripheral interfaces
  • Proficiency using JTAG and Integrated Logic Analyzers for system debugging
  • Experience with signal generators, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers
  • Experience with ASIC design and tapeout processes
  • Experience implementing PID, feedforward, or MIMO algorithms in FPGA firmware
  • Experience with ADC/DAC, JESD204B, DDR3/4 MIG, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
  • Working knowledge of embedded Linux and Linux device drivers
  • Experience using GitLab for automated firmware build and validation
  • Experience collaborating with board design and software development teams

IonQ Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IonQ and has not been reviewed or approved by IonQ.

  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, HSA options, and no-cost mental-health support. Company materials also cite strong premium coverage levels for employees and dependents in recent years.
  • Parental & Family Support Paid maternity, paternity, and bonding leave are presented as fully paid for eligible employees. This breadth of family support is emphasized across company and job materials.
  • Retirement Support A 401(k) with company match up to 5% is part of the package, with materials noting a relatively short vesting schedule. Retirement support is positioned as a core element of total rewards.

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The Company
HQ: College Park, MD
415 Employees
Year Founded: 2015

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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