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.
We are looking for a Senior Design Engineer, Integrated Photonics and in this role, you’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems. In this role, you will focus primarily on developing and utilizing software and techniques for the design, simulation, and optimization of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for use in trapped-ion quantum computer systems. You will also have the opportunity to work with atomic physicists to innovate the trapped-ion quantum computer utilizing integrated photonics. The design workflows and PIC-based systems you design, build, and use will help drive the overall development of a new and game-changing photonics technology to enable scalable quantum computing.
Responsibilities:
- Design, simulate, and optimize photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for integration into trapped-ion quantum computing systems
- Develop integrated photonics designs that improve device performance and insensitivity to fabrication variation
- Optimize PIC simulations to minimize computational resources and speed up the design workflow
- Use device characterization data as feedback to design and fabrication to improve PIC performance
- Contribute to building up the design workflow and maintain high-quality, scalable, well-tested scripts through architecture and code reviews
- Effectively self-manage projects, priorities, deadlines, and deliverables
- Identify, track, and mitigate execution roadblocks and technical risks
- Provide clear, concise communication to management and team members
You’d be a good fit with:
- Ph.D. in engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in the design and hands-on characterization of PICs and photonic devices
- 3+ years of programming experience in a general-purpose programming language (like Python, Matlab, etc.)
- Experience with simulations of integrated-photonic devices via Lumerical, COMSOL, Flexcompute, or similar
- Experience with scripted mask design and layout for PICs
- Experience designing, building, and using optical testing infrastructure, including automated testing systems
- Strong data processing, visualization, and organizational skills
- Familiarity with fabrication processes and design constraints for PICs
- Empathy: you'll work closely with our internal team of physicists and test engineers who depend on the PIC design
You’d be a great fit if you also have the following:
- 7+ years of PIC design and characterization experience
- 3+ years of industry experience
- Experience with optimization algorithms for automated PIC design
- Experience working with visible-light laser sources and on-chip components
- Strong programming skills for mask layout and experimental automation software, and experience with version control systems such as git
- Experience using 3D CAD tools like Autodesk Inventor or Solidworks
- Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) to design components by considering the fabrication influences, such as width bias, rounded shape due to optical lithography, geometry variation because of device density, etc.
Location:
- This position can be located as remote or hybrid. IonQ's bright, airy offices are located in College Park, MD and Bothell, WA.
The salary range for this position is $107,123 - $140,251.
Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance!
IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, a quick 15-minute metro from 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, or Toronto. 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.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
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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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.
