IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology and is scaling beyond its own labs into customer environments globally. The business problem is to install and integrate these complex quantum systems at customer sites, ensuring they are fully operational and ready for production use.
Requirements
- Strong Experience in a manufacturing, test, or low-volume integration environment where process discipline, documentation, and quality matter.
- 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.
- Comfort reading and interpreting engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and CAD models.
- Strong problem-solving and debugging skills; you can methodically isolate issues in complex systems under time pressure.
- Basic familiarity with scripting (Python, etc.) for test automation, data collection, or simple tooling.
- Experience aligning optical systems (free-space and fiber), verifying laser paths, and ensuring stability under real-world environmental conditions.
- Familiarity with DFM/DFX, structured RCCA, and continuous improvement in a production or NPI context.
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.
- 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.
Other
- 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.
- 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 strong, customer-focused and one-team mindset, with the ability to proactively communicate with employees at all levels in a fast-paced, developing environment.
