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IonQ · 3 weeks ago

Senior Quantum Hardware Engineer - Customer System Installation

Bothell, Washington, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$111K/yr - $146K/yr

5+ years exp

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. The Quantum Hardware Engineer will support the installation and integration of quantum computing systems at customer sites, ensuring they are operational and ready for production use.

ComputerElectronicsFinanceInformation ServicesInformation TechnologyMobile AppsQuantum ComputingSoftware

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Partner with other field engineers and scientists to own the full-stack installation of our quantum computing systems at customer data centers, both domestically and internationally. This includes installation and integration of the entire system

Travel to customer sites for multi-week to multi-month deployments to install and integrate complex subsystems (optics, lasers, vacuum hardware, control electronics, racks, enclosures, networking, and cooling systems) with meticulous attention to detail

Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in the field. You'll be the first to encounter and solve unique challenges that arise during deployment, driving root cause analysis for any failures

Be the critical link between our in-plant engineering teams and the realities of a field deployment. Capture real-world learnings from customer installations and feed them back into design, manufacturing, and test to make each subsequent deployment faster and smoother

Execute and refine installation work instructions, checklists, and troubleshooting guides for future deployments and for our manufacturing/field teams

Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure systems leaving IonQ facilities are deployment-ready and reflect the realities of customer sites

Act as the technical face of IonQ on site—building trust with customer engineers, facilities staff, and leadership teams

Document all as-built configurations, deviations, and environment-specific considerations for each installation

Work hands-on with our sophisticated systems, including free-space optics, high-precision lasers, advanced mechanical assemblies, cryogenic systems, and operate lifting equipment for large, heavy structures with an eye for safety

Facilitate and lead daily deployment standups, coordinate on-site deployment activities, report status, communicate risks and trade-offs, and escalate as needed

Develop and maintain tooling bills of materials (BOMs) for customer-facing system deployments

Maintain tight communication loops with IonQ’s Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management teams throughout deployments

Qualification

Quantum hardware installationManufacturing experienceComplex systems troubleshootingOptical systems alignmentMechanical systems integrationVacuum systems knowledgeControl electronics experienceCustomer-focused mindsetAmbitious mindsetScripting familiarityProblem-solving skillsDetail-orientedHands-on experienceCommunication skillsTeam collaboration

Required

An ability to travel (domestically and internationally) up to 3 months at a time during deployments and 25% otherwise

An ability to be onsite at the Bothell manufacturing facility the remainder of the time

5+ years' experience as a technical contributor in evolving engineering and manufacturing environments

A Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Science

A love for being on the road. Extended deployments (up to ~3 months on-site) across the US and internationally energize you

A love for being hands-on at your core. You're happiest with a tool in your hand, a scope or power meter on the bench, and a complex system in front of you

Strong Experience in a manufacturing, test, or low-volume integration environment where process discipline, documentation, and quality matter. You understand what it takes to build, test, and ship complex hardware reliably and safely. Factory floors, test labs, and integration cells feel familiar

A passion for ambiguity. Requirements change, customer facilities have surprises, and not everything is fully written down yet, and you see that as exciting

A drive for being relentlessly detail-oriented. You know that in quantum hardware, tiny missteps (a swapped cable, a loose fastener, a mislabeled fiber) can have massive impact, and you take pride in getting it right

An ambitious and self-motivated mindset. You define the work, prioritize ruthlessly, and push programs forward

A strong, systems-level mindset and demonstrated experience working hands-on with at least two of the following: Laser/optical systems (alignment, diagnostics, basic stabilization), Mechanical systems infrastructure, cable and routed systems installations, and cable management and dressing, Vacuum systems and UHV hardware, Precision motion stages or opto-mechanical assemblies, Control electronics, power distribution, and low-noise measurement systems

Strong problem-solving and debugging skills; you can methodically isolate issues in complex systems under time pressure

Comfort reading and interpreting engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and CAD models

A strong, customer-focused and one-team mindset, with the ability to proactively communicate with employees at all levels in a fast-paced, developing environment

Preferred

Familiarity with DFM/DFX, structured RCCA, and continuous improvement in a production or NPI context

An ability to act independently to uncover and resolve issues associated with the development and implementation of operational programs and factories and/or supplier health development

Experience aligning optical systems (free-space and fiber), verifying laser paths, and ensuring stability under real-world environmental conditions

Basic familiarity with scripting (Python, etc.) for test automation, data collection, or simple tooling

Experience working with trapped-ion, cold-atom, photonics, semiconductor, or other advanced R&D/production tools