Senior Staff Software Engineer — Application Engineering at Ionq

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 Staff Software Engineer for Application Engineering. As a Sr Software Engineer on the Applications Engineer team, you’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to deliver real-world applications and value from the leap forward in computing enabled by quantum technology. We don't just build the world's best quantum computers—we apply cutting edge quantum computing tools to real world problems. Until now, our team of Applications Scientists have been building prototypes, working closely with our customers. Our new department, Applications Engineering, will ultimately help transform proven quantum computing use-cases pioneered by our scientists into production applications, making those innovations available to more people and businesses by packaging and deploying these tools as SaaS applications. But first, we must mature existing proof-of-concept quantum code into production grade applications. As a hands-on team lead for a new engineering team, you will work on enhancing developer experience (DevEx) by applying best practices to research-grade code. You will also set up CI / CD pipelines, software packing tools, and pre/post flight tests for new algorithms as they go into deployment. Where possible you will also be in charge of optimizing and parallelizing traditional algorithms, to reduce pre-processing and post-processing workloads. You will spearhead a new team taking newly invented quantum applications, and turning them into well defined modules of reliable SaaS applications. Think of it as being a forward-deployed engineer for quantum computing applications; the strongest candidates will be generalists with wide-ranging interests. This team will work closely with Developer Tools, Infrastructure, and Product teams to solve problems by choosing the right technologies, and standardizing and automating those solutions. The right engineer will be comfortable working on refining chemistry simplification via Quantum Computing tool one quarter, and turning a novel quantum topology solver into a service the next—and love pair programming with scientists. They’ll bring the quantum expertise; you bring the deep and broad experience in classical programming. Responsibilities: • Partner with Application scientists to help deliver cutting-edge solutions for customers • Elevate Applications code quality generally through architectural review, code review, standards, and best practices • Improve Applications pace of delivery by creating CI / CD pipelines and other packaging automation, as well as test infrastructure and coverage • Help productize computing code, especially improving data processing in pre-quantum and post-quantum processing steps • Work closely with peers in Applications, Developer Tools, and Product teams to share best practices and feedback on internal tools • Reporting to the Director of Application Engineering, help hire and mentor developers on the team You’d be a good fit with: • 12+ years of experience as a backend or full-stack developer, preferably in Python or Golang • 5+ years of experience in setting up and maintaining CI / CD pipelines, in Github Actions, Jenkins, or similar tools • 5+ years of experience in C/C++ or Rust • 3+ years of experience in Docker, k8s, or similar containerization technologies • A track record of shipping containerized applications that solve real business problems • Previous work in scientific computing, quantum computing, or a related field • Daily usage of augmented coding tools like Claude or Gemini You’d be a great fit with: • 5+ years of experience in scientific computing, especially with data analysis using numpy, pandas, or similar • Experience in HPC or performance optimization • Experience in converting traditional algorithms into CUDA, OpenMP workflows, or similar parallelization experience • Experience with workflow orchestration engines like Airflow, Dagster, or Temporal Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from our office in Bothell, WA; College Park, MD; or Boulder, CO Travel: 5% for quarterly travel for collaboration Job ID: 1312 The approximate base salary range for this position is $192,979 - $252,659. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity. 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 US 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, 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!