Senior Photonic Test Development Engineer

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 20 times 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. IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

IonQ’s 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.

Work onsite at our office located in Boston, MA. Travel: less than 10 %.

We are looking for a Senior Photonic Test Development Engineer to join our Quantum Interconnect Division. As a Senior Photonic Test Development Engineer, you’ll be part of 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 be responsible for the design, upgrade, and expansion of the optical testing infrastructure for characterizing on‑chip optical devices, utilizing both room‑temperature and cryogenic setups.

The ideal candidate is someone who is a detail‑oriented problem solver with strong teamwork skills.

• Design, upgrade, and expand the testing infrastructure for characterizing classical and quantum integrated photonics devices and components (passive and active) at chip and wafer level scale, utilizing both room‑temperature and cryogenic setups.
• Develop and document robust testing procedures for component‑level characterization.
• Automate the test pipeline, including instrument setup, data acquisition, and analysis, while maintaining high‑quality, scalable, and well‑tested characterization flows.
• Collaborate with design, packaging, and system teams to optimize testing features and develop a library of test flows for platform improvement.

• 3+ years of professional experience in optical spectroscopy, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master or Ph.D. in engineering, physics, or a related field/discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with test instrumentation and methods for room‑temperature optical test setups.
• Strong data processing, visualization, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with free‑space optics and imaging systems.
• Experience working with laser sources and fiber components.
• Programming experience in a general‑purpose programming language (like Python, Matlab, etc.) for test automation.

• 5+ years of design and characterization experience of classical integrated photonics devices.
• Hands‑on experience with cryogenic optical test setups.
• Hands‑on experience with characterizing integrated photonics devices.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $126,887 - $166,127. 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…