Chief Architect - Optical Communication Terminals

Location This role will be based at our Broomfield, Colorado, office, with the option to work a few days a week remotely. Travel: Up to 5%. The Role We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Chief Architect to join our team. This position reports directly to Skyloom’s VP of Engineering as a member of the Engineering & Operations leadership team. Chief Architect with Free Space Optical Communication Terminal Expertise As a Chief Architect, you will design, implement, and optimize free‑space optical communication terminals across government and commercial customers. You will analyze and improve system performance metrics—such as wavefront error, SNR, and BER—while contributing to innovation in areas like atmospheric turbulence mitigation, adaptive optics, and laser propagation. This role also offers leadership opportunities, including guiding projects, collaborating across disciplines, and contributing to R&D shaping next‑generation OCT products. Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is an experienced Optical Communications engineer with strong analytical skills and hands‑on free space optical communication expertise. Responsibilities Lead engineering activities for an optical communications payload from concept through launch. Define, analyze, and validate system and subsystem requirements for space environments. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop integrated communication solutions, focusing on system architecture, performance, and reliability. Derive quantified requirements for optical communication terminals using analytical techniques, numerical modeling, and bench‑top testing. Conduct hardware/software validation of optical communication systems and subsystems. Provide technical support for integration and troubleshooting of optical systems and develop root cause analysis for products exhibiting non‑conformances in the optics subsystem. Analyze large amounts of laboratory data for validation and improvement purposes. Provide clear and rigorous presentations/reports on the subjects listed above, effectively communicating with a broad range of cross‑functional teams. Communication & Teamwork Skills Own critical design review processes, ensuring quality, completeness, and compliance. Lead system‑level test planning, verification, and compliance analysis. Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (RF, software, FPGA, integration, quality, operations). Present program updates and technical solutions to internal/external stakeholders. Mentor and support team members within a collaborative engineering environment. Possess excellent communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly and efficiently across a range of subject areas. Organize and deliver assigned projects independently according to the project schedule. Demonstrate enthusiasm for working on multiple projects simultaneously in a self‑directed manner, thriving in a fast‑paced, multi‑cultural startup environment. Requirements 10+ years of experience in Free Space Optical communication systems. Proven experience in optical system design, modeling, and validation. Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience. Practical experience with fiber optic and free‑space optics laboratory setups. Familiarity with relevant communication standards and coding techniques. Strong understanding of wavefront errors, SNR, BER, and link budgets. Exhibit strong analytical skills for building models and solving complex problems. Experience with optical simulation/modelling tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, MATLAB, Python). Knowledge of adaptive optics, beam steering, and pointing error impacts. Team player with strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Knowledge in the development of space optical instruments, especially in the field of telescopes, spectrometers, and interferometers within an industrial or scientific environment. Strong quantitative data analysis abilities using tools such as Matlab, Python, or equivalent. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Preferred Experience Space‑flight industry experience. Laser Safety knowledge. Experience transitioning an optical product into production. Spanish speaking is a plus. Compensation The approximate base salary range for this position is $167,808 - $219,704. The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits. Benefits 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. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 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. Export Control & Government Contracts 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 verifying U.S. Person 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 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr