Senior Physicist, Quantum Memory R&D

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:

Chattanooga, TN (Onsite) Travel:
Up to 10%, domestic or international. Job

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 are looking for a Senior Physicist for development of IonQ’s silicon vacancy (SiV) quantum memory platform. As a Senior Physicist, 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 technologies to solve the world’s most complex problems.

In this role, you will be an integral part of the commercialization process for IonQ’s SiV quantum memories, with applications across quantum computing, networking, and sensing. You will develop and mature key electrical and optical subsystems for defect-center based quantum memory nodes. Example projects include development and integration of new hardware for integration with SiV memory nodes, and working with IonQ customers and collaborators to implement and test new applications and use-cases for quantum networks and memories.

• Collaborate with IonQ’s industry, government, and academic partners, as well as internal teams, to implement new use-cases and applications using the SiV quantum memory platform
• Evaluate and test new hardware (e.g. pair sources, sensors, etc.) for compatibility with SiV memory nodes, for example, to add new capabilities to the network, or to enable new distributed applications
• Coordinate with other teams internally at IonQ and/or with external vendors to develop or improve memory system subcomponents and software as needed

• PhD in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, or closely related field
• Work in quantum optics and quantum computing (ideally previous work with single photons and/or gate-based quantum systems)
• Experience designing and testing complex opto-mechanical and opto-electronical setups
• Experience in implementing applications and use-cases using quantum hardware

• Experience working with defect center and/or solid-state qubits
• Experience in optically-mediated entanglement protocols between qubits
• Experience in writing software for lab environments (preferred language: Python)

$126,887 — $181,949 USD 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.

The total compensation package includes base,…