Senior Staff Applied Scientist - Global R&D

Location
Remote, US
Workplace
Hybrid
Compensation
$168k – $220k

About this role

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.  

Location: This role will be based on-site at our Boston, MA office. We are open to hybrid and remote options for the right candidate.
Travel: Up to 10%
Job ID:
1748 

The Role: 

We are looking for a Senior Staff Applied Scientist to join a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most complex problems.

In this role, you will sit at the intersection of experimental physics and software engineering. You'll contribute directly to cutting-edge research in quantum networking, computing and sensing while building and maintaining the production-quality software that accelerates that research. You are a physicist who is also a professional software developer: comfortable with the full software development lifecycle and passionate about building tools that make science faster and more reproducible.

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of experiments in quantum networking, computing or sensing.
  • Develop and maintain R&D software (Python packages, services, data pipelines) used daily by lab scientists.
  • Follow and champion modern software development practices, including Git workflows, code review, automated testing, and documentation.
  • Help design and maintain CI/CD pipelines for lab software.
  • Build systems for automated calibration and bring-up of lab equipment.
  • Collaborate across physics and software teams to ensure alignment on tools, data, and workflows.
  • Share knowledge in both directions: helping scientists write better code and helping engineers understand the science.

Requirements:

  • PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related experimental field, or equivalent research experience.
  • Demonstrated experience with the software development lifecycle: version control (Git), code review, testing, and CI/CD.
  • Strong proficiency in Python.
  • Hands-on experimental physics experience (optics, cryogenics, quantum information, or similar).
  • Comfort working in a collaborative, fast-paced R&D environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience developing software for hardware control, automation, or data acquisition in a research setting.
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and modern DevOps practices.
  • Experience with database design and management.
  • Track record of publications in quantum information, quantum optics, or a related field.
  • Experience mentoring researchers on software best practices.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $167,808 - $219,704. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

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 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.

 

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! 

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Top Benefits

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 401k Matching
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Paid Holidays
  • Parental Leave
  • Adoption Leave
  • Legal Insurance
  • Home Technology Stipend