Senior Staff Scientist - Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms

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.


We are looking for aSenior Staff Scientist - Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms to help lead the technical development of highly differentiated quantum solutions that will bring value to society. As a Senior Staff Scientist - Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms, you'll guide a cross-functional team whose mandate is central to IonQ's mission to solve the world's most complex problems using the world's best quantum computers.

As a technical leader in the field of fault-tolerant algorithms, you will help discover the next generation of quantum applications that will exceed state-of-the-art classical methods. You will be a core member of technical leadership in quantum algorithms, and you will drive research into new quantum algorithms and develop IP, computational resource models, long-term roadmaps, and end-to-end workflows that have the potential to disrupt the field of computing. You will also work closely with product, engineering, marketing, sales, operations, and external customers/partners to brainstorm new ideas, propose complex, multi-year initiatives and represent IonQ at high-visibility technical conferences (often all in a single day)!

Responsibilities:

• Influence the quantum applications roadmap towards fault-tolerant quantum algorithms that will make a large scientific and commercial impact by leading the origination, execution, and optimization of novel, end-to-end quantum algorithms. Guide other team members towards this goal.
• Perform detailed resource analyses of quantum algorithms and perform SWOT analysis of FTQC approaches compared to NISQ and/or classical methods.
• Provide trusted expertise and leadership in FTQC algorithms and communicate the current state-of-the-art, scaling behaviors, trade offs, cross-over points, etc. to stakeholders across the company.
• Lead technical interactions across multi-disciplinary teams to identify, define and solve challenging real-world problems using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers.
• Define, develop, and drive adoption of industry-leading benchmarking and resource estimation methodologies, metrics, and tools.
• Develop portfolio of foundational IP and high-impact-factor peer-reviewed publications; represent IonQ externally with customer/clients and at conferences.

You'd be a good fit with:

• PhD in physics, mathematics, computer science, or similar field, or comparable field or equivalent work experience + 5 years of professional experience in the quantum computing field
• 13+ years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated expertise in FTQC algorithms that can scale to millions of qubits, billions of gates with line-of-sight to end-customer value: active portfolio of invited talks, repos, licenses, publications and/or patents.
• Active participant in the FTQC algorithm community via, e.g., development of tools (libraries, simulators, compiler), metrics (costing, resource estimation, ROI), and/or community (economic development, standards)
• Relentless dedication to optimizing algorithmic performance (accuracy, time-to-solution) through elegant theoretical equations, as well as engineering optimization
• Mastery of key mathematical techniques used in quantum computing and quantum algorithm development, and a demonstrated ability to communicate scientific results clearly.

You'd be a great fit with:

• 7+ years of professional work experience developing FT quantum algorithms that align with realistic industry problems such as computer-aided engineering, phase transitions, reaction modeling, cybersecurity, differential equations solving, simulation of physical systems, etc.
• Deep expertise in quantum algorithms for relevant use cases. This could include quantum simulation (e.g., product formulas, qubitization, qDRIFT, etc.), quantum algorithms and primitives (e.g., block-encodings, LCU, QSP, QSVT, Gibbs sampling, quantum linear systems, etc.), and/or end-to-end fault-tolerant quantum algorithms as applied to detailed use cases.
• Demonstrated expertise in Python and Qiskit or similar quantum SDK; working knowledge of C++.
• Experience proposing, winning, and executing on consultative (paid) contracts; government contracting or defense contracting experience a plus
• Experience commercializing end-to-end software utilizing hybrid computing e.g. CPU + GPU + QPU, Edge, Cloud, etc. Knowledge of CI/CD a plus.

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD, Bothell, WA, Toronto, Canada, Gothenburg, Sweden) or fully remote in the US
Travel: 10% domestic and international Job ID: 1254

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 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.

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!