Senior Software Network Engineer - Quantum Networking

Senior Software Network Engineer - Quantum Networking

IonQ, Inc. 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.

We are looking for a Senior Software Network Engineer to join our cross-functional team. In this role, you will be the primary architect of the high-level service plane, bridging the gap between quantum hardware and classical infrastructure. You will tackle the unique challenge of managing a distributed quantum networking and sensing solution, applying your expertise in high-scale systems to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum networks.

Responsibilities:

• Architect, system design, implement, maintain, and operate the high-level service plane for quantum network operations.
• Build and maintain interfaces using industry-standard protocols to integrate various network devices.
• Define and enforce network security best practices including Authentication, Authorization, and Accountability (AAA) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
• Support the implementation of secure communication protocols, such as TLS 1.3 and SSH, across the network control plane.

You'd be a good fit with:

• 5+ years of experience in senior software engineering roles focused on large-scale distributed systems, banking backends, or cloud infrastructure.
• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Proficiency in Python and/or Go for orchestration and automation frameworks, and C/C++ or Rust for performance-critical components.
• Proven experience building, deploying, and maintaining Linux/Unix systems, including containerization and secure remote access.
• Demonstrated ability to architect and implement system- and network- management solutions in virtualized and/or containerized environments.
• Strong background designing web APIs, distributed systems, and/or real-time systems with a focus on high availability and reliability.
• A self-starting attitude and experience working cross-functionally to overcome ambiguity

You'd be a great fit with:

• Deep familiarity with Mutual TLS (mTLS) and certificate-based authentication (X.509)
• Experience building experiment-supporting frameworks with automated rollback and configuration recovery.
• Strong background in system-wide audit logging and tamper-evident data structures.
• Strong interest in quantum science and technologies, record of onboarding in technically and scientifically complex domains
• Experience working as or close to SRE/DevOps in a cloud or cloud-like environment

Location: Vista (CA), Bothell (WA), Pleasanton (CA) Travel: Less than 10% Job ID: 1269

The approximate base salary range for this position is $128,119 - $167,740. 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 401K, 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.