Demo

Senior Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations

IonQ
College Park, MD Contractor
POSTED ON 12/8/2025 CLOSED ON 1/7/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations position at IonQ?

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.

We're looking for a Senior Physicist for our bleeding-edge quantum computers that are based on trapped ion technology. You'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to operate and improve IonQ's industry-leading quantum computers. In the first three months on the job, you'd be learning how to maintain our quantum computers' hardware and software. Recent graduates in physics and related fields are encouraged to apply; we will train you in quantum computer maintenance and operation!

Responsibilities:

  • Participate in follow-the-sun on-call rotations to keep our systems running at peak performance.
  • Ensure high uptime and performance of our commercial quantum computers, through alert response, monitoring, and engineering of state-of-the-art quantum computers.
  • Work collaboratively with other System Operators on improvements and processes and practices to make operating quantum systems easier and more efficient.
  • Communicate with customers to coordinate access and inform on system status.
  • Remotely interfacing with quantum systems to impact performance using documented procedures.
  • Interpreting telemetry to aid in deeper understanding of quantum system status.
  • Clearly communicating with teams working across multiple timezones.
  • Mentoring more junior members of system operations.
  • Leading root cause analysis of complex production impacting incidents.

You'd be a good fit with:

  • Master's or PhD degree in physics, engineering, or another physical science
  • 2-5 years of industry experience in physics, engineering, optics, or related fields.
  • 1 year laboratory experience in atomic and/or optical physics
  • Desire and capability to work closely on a team that is distributed - excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset
  • Hands-on experience with optical alignments, laser stabilization, and/or AOMs
  • A propensity for learning new things and fascination with emerging technologies
  • Formal training or education in statistics
  • Capable of adapting for an ever-growing and ever-changing work environment
  • Disposition to work flexible working hours, on a 24/7 on-call shift where the rotation changes as needed
  • 1 year laboratory experience in atomic and/or optical physics

Location: Onsite Seattle, College Park, Chattanooga

Travel: Up to 10%

Job ID: 1239

The approximate base salary range for this position is $107,123 - $140,251. 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!

Salary : $107,123 - $140,251

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Senior Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Senior Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$110,220 - $132,692
Income Estimation: 
$151,084 - $181,738
Income Estimation: 
$133,507 - $160,824
Income Estimation: 
$136,663 - $175,160
Income Estimation: 
$157,953 - $182,694
Income Estimation: 
$68,208 - $97,096
Income Estimation: 
$52,659 - $76,910
Income Estimation: 
$60,357 - $79,610
Income Estimation: 
$61,862 - $86,380
Income Estimation: 
$91,114 - $126,315
This job has expired.
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at IonQ

  • IonQ Washington, DC
  • About IonQ: IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computin... more
  • Just Posted

  • IonQ Boulder, CO
  • About IonQ: IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computin... more
  • Just Posted

  • IonQ College Park, MD
  • 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 physi... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • IonQ Broomfield, CO
  • About IonQ: IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world's most complex problems. IonQ's newest g... more
  • 2 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Senior Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations jobs in the College Park, MD area that may be a better fit.

  • Jobs via Dice Mc Lean, VA
  • Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy solving complex business problems in a fast-paced, collaborative, inclusive, and ... more
  • 16 Days Ago

  • Jobs via Dice Mc Lean, VA
  • Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy solving complex business problems in a fast-paced, collaborative, inclusive, and ... more
  • 29 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!