Senior Staff Electrical Engineer

Senior Staff Electrical Hardware Design EngineerIonQ, 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.Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella's culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella's ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.This role can be based at our Louisville, CO or San Francisco office with the option to work a few days a week remotely. Travel: Up to 10%, domestic or international.As a Senior Staff Electrical Hardware Design Engineer, you will take ownership of full-cycle PCBA designs, from early concept to flight readiness and in-orbit debug. You will work cross-functionally with RF, mechanical, software, FPGA/SoC, and operations teams to bring high-reliability, space-ready electronics to orbit. You will guide the Electrical Engineering team on special areas and drive projects across disciplines to help facilitate ideas, product readiness, and conduct reviews.Responsibilities:Own the full electrical design lifecycle for complex spaceflight hardware: Concept of operations, requirements engineering, schematic capture, layout, bring-up, test, manufacturing handoff, and in-orbit debugDevelop robust analog/digital designs for mission-critical systems under environmental and performance constraintsOrganize collaborative cross disciplinary design reviews sharing feedback and shaping solutions with a team of experienced engineersProvide critical input to schedule planning as well as mission and system requirementsLead hardware requirements and process improvements (Altium, DFM, DFT)Lead board-level bring-up and debugging, integrating firmware/software/FPGA with embedded systemsDefine test plans and verification strategies that meet flight readiness requirementsPlay a key role in scaling up our manufacturing facility bringing hardware from prototype to low-volume productionLead collaboration across teams- mechanical, harness, RF, software, FPGA/SoC, and systems to ensure seamless integrationMentor early- and mid-career engineers contributing to internal process improvements and elevating the overall quality of the teamEngage with external vendors and CMs, ensuring delivery quality, resolving DFM/DFT issues, and ensuring on-time deliveryDrive failure analysis and root-cause investigations across flight or test anomaliesWhat Success Looks Like:You consistently deliver flight-quality hardware on schedule with minimal oversightYou get things done, align with stakeholders, and document conciselyYou proactively identify and articulate system-level risks and drive mitigations earlyYou communicate across hardware/software and cross-functional gaps with confidence and clarityYou make thoughtful trade-offs in constrained environments and justify them with dataYou show curiosity about advanced areas like architecture optimization or radiation mitigation, even if they're outside your scope for nowYou exhibit advanced wide-ranging experience in electrical engineering, using in-depth professional knowledgeRequirements:Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field10+ years of experience designing and debugging PCBAsProficiency in Altium Designer (or similar ECAD tools)Hands-on experience with lab instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, etc.)Solid understanding of digital buses (I2C, SPI, UART, RS422, CAN, USB, PCIe, Ethernet etc.)Familiarity with board bring-up, test planning, and design verification workflowsExperience interacting with contract manufacturers, supporting DFM reviews, and resolving production issuesStrong documentation habits and organizational skillsTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.Compensation:The approximate base salary range for this position is $167,808 - $219,704. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), 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.