Staff Software Engineer - Compiler Tools

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. 

As Staff Software Engineer for Compiler and Simulation Tools, you'll serve as co-maintainer of IonQ's compiler and simulation tooling, working closely with the Compiler team to support the fleet of customer-facing tools quantum developers rely on. In collaboration with the Compiler team's work on core innovations and releases, you'll maintain the ongoing ecosystem of compilation APIs, SDK integrations, simulator packages, and internal tooling that require continuous support, iteration with users, and incremental improvements.The Developer Tools team builds the software layer connecting quantum developers to IonQ's quantum computers. This role focuses on maintaining compilation toolchains, supporting simulator deployments, gathering feedback from direct customer interactions, and ensuring the interfaces for quantum compilation and simulation remain accessible, transparent, and reliable. You'll work at the intersection of customer needs and production software engineering, translating real-world developer pain points into improvements while protecting the Compiler team's focus on next-generation systems.

What You'll Do

You'll build tools for compiler premium configurations, build OpenAPI-based SDK foundations for compilation workflows, and package compiler transparency features that give developers insight into how their circuits are optimized. You'll package and deploy IonQ's noisy simulator as standalone, distributable products for enterprise customers and partner integrations. You'll contribute to error mitigation production release tooling, support fault-tolerant quantum computing programming model integrations, and build end-to-end tests ensuring compilation jobs run reliably across IonQ's evolving quantum systems.This role requires both technical depth in quantum compilation and simulation, and pragmatism in shipping reliable software. You'll maintain close collaboration with IonQ's Compiler team to understand their innovations, then apply production engineering discipline to make those innovations accessible through well-documented, tested, supported tools.

 

Responsibilities

• Own the compiler innovation tooling pipeline: taking new features from Compiler team through testing, documentation, packaging, and release


• Design and maintain compilation toolchains, optimization tools, and circuit transformation libraries


• Improve, package and distribute IonQ's noisy simulator as deployable products (Docker containers, standalone packages) for enterprise customers and on-premise deployments


• Build interfaces for compiler transparency features: giving developers visibility into optimization decisions


• Package and distribute compiler tools as standalone products for local use and cloud deployment


• Manage noise model configurations and simulator versioning for deployed packages


• Contribute to error mitigation production tooling and quantum error correction infrastructure


• Support fault-tolerant quantum computing programming model compiler integrations


• Build comprehensive end-to-end tests for compilation jobs across different backends and gate sets


• Provide feedback to Compiler team on developer needs, API design, and feature prioritization


• Collaborate with SDK engineers to ensure seamless integration of compilation and simulation features into developer workflows

 

You'd Be a Good Fit With

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related field, or equivalent training, fellowship, or work experience


• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience working in team environments


• 3+ years leading design and development of scientific libraries or compiler tooling


• Deep proficiency in Python—this is our primary language


• Strong experience with C++ or Rust for system-level programming and performance-critical code


• Understanding of quantum circuits, gates, and compilation fundamentals


• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI coding assistants (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude, etc.) to enhance productivity and code quality


• Experience taking research implementations and turning them into production-ready, maintainable software


• Track record of creating clear, comprehensive technical documentation


• Experience with automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and release engineering


• Strong collaboration skills: working with research teams, product managers, and external users

 

You'd Be a Great Fit With

• 10+ years of professional software experience


• Experience with quantum compilers, circuit optimization, or quantum error correction


• Background in compiler development for classical or quantum systems


• Proficiency with quantum computing SDKs (Qiskit, Pennylane, Cirq)


• Experience with quantum simulation, noise modeling, or resource estimation


• Experience with quantum error mitigation techniques or resource estimation


• Understanding of fault-tolerant quantum computing and logical qubits


• Experience packaging and deploying scientific software (Docker, containers, distribution platforms)


• Experience maintaining open-source software with outside contributors


• Previous work in scientific computing, HPC, or physics simulation


• Publications or contributions to quantum computing research

 

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from Bothell, Washington (US) or in Oxford, England (UK). 
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID: 1331

The approximate base salary range for this position is $174,520 - $228,492 . 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!