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.
Quantum computing and security are intimately connected. One day, quantum computers will render RSA trivially crackable; today, protecting our cutting edge research is essential.
As a Staff Security Engineer, you’ll help with the technical implementation and automation aspects of our security program, which is built around standards like NIST 800-53. This is an opportunity for a hands-on, technical and code savvy security engineer with an emerging or existing interest in the next generation of computing to bring their diverse background and talents to bear in shaping the future of computing.
In the first three months, you’ll be helping to integrate information from different security tools, automate security configuration checks, automate evidence collection, help with security hardening and serve as a technical security subject matter expert in discussions around security in our quantum computer.
Responsibilities:
- Write python (or potentially rust or golang) code to connect to a variety of systems to collect and analyze data in support of security alerting, evidence collection and system hardening
- Follow secure software development practices while working in an agile team, helping to scope, plan, prioritize and complete work
- Write technical documentation including software documentation, memos and architecture diagrams
- Automate integrations with Github Actions or workflow based tools
- Assist with security hardening of cloud, on premise and quantum systems
- Improve our application security posture through collaboration with development teams and coaching them through findings from SAST, SCA and other tools
- Collaborate with both technical and non-technical teams, from legal, to engineering, to finance, to operations, to supply chain
- Develop and document processes supporting secure operations
- Assist with responding to incidents as they arise
The ideal candidate will have experience contributing to multiple simultaneous initiatives. Every day you will learn and explore, applying what you already know to a new environment and new problem. You will balance multiple activities with a keen eye for prioritizing for the biggest impact. You’ll strive for simplicity and demonstrate significant creativity and incisive judgment. You'll enjoy learning technical topics, working across multiple business streams, and be uniquely positioned to help us reach the next horizon in secure quantum computing. You will take ownership of the outcome for the work you take on.
You’d be a good fit with:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience -- untraditional backgrounds are welcome and encouraged!
- 8+ years of relevant experience
- Experience writing python code that is used and maintained over time by a team
- Experience building and using Docker containers
- Experience with NIST 800-53 or NIST 800-171
- Experience with CIS Benchmarks and/or DISA STIGs
- Technical experience in systems administration, software engineering, digital forensics, security engineering and/or privacy engineering
- Excitement to learn and get things done right
- Empathy for your internal and external customers and excellent communication skills, since you’ll be working with folks of all backgrounds -- technical and non-technical alike!
You’d be a great fit with:
- Masters or PhD degree in security, computer science or related
- Proven ability to lead security initiatives
- Prior experience with NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 audits
- Experience with FedRAMP and Federal agencies
- Experience with application security and tooling such as SAST and SCA
- Experience with integrating log data sources to monitoring tools (SIEM)
- Experience with infrastructure as code such as Terraform
- Experience with Chef, Puppet, Ansible or some sort of configuration management system
- Experience extracting and reporting on software bill of materials across a fleet of heterogeneous systems
- 3+ years of experience with incident or emergency response coordination
Location:
You will be our first dedicated security engineer! This position can be located at our newest office in Bothell, WA (just outside Seattle) or at our headquarters in College Park, MD. Our headquarters are located down the street from the University of Maryland. Our office is bright and open and a fun, collaborative environment, where we value each other’s unique qualities. IonQ is a five-minute walk to the Metro, which takes just twenty minutes to get to Washington, DC.
IonQ reflects the globally diverse audience that our products and technology serve. We believe that in addition to hiring the best talent, a diversity of perspectives, ideas, and cultures leads to the creation of better products and services. We hire people with a broad set of skills who are ready to take on some of humanity’s greatest challenges and make an impact on millions, if not billions, of users.
Ability to meet IonQ and customer security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to passing a background check.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply.
The approximate salary range for this position is $175,954 - $230,369.
The base pay component of the offer will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base pay, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component, as well as a range of benefit options found on our 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 plus paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance!
IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland which is only a 15-minute metro ride from Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in the Seattle, Washington area. Depending on the position, you may be required to be located near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, or Toronto. However, IonQ will be expanding 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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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.
