Senior Field Engineer - US Federal

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.

• Inspire and co‑engineer solutions with the US Intel Agencies by explaining IonQ's strategy, portfolio and answering technical questions about quantum portfolio (compute, network, security, sensing and space) and quantum applications.
• Lead and shepherd client discussions, inspiring them to see how quantum applications can be implemented in their business domain.
  • This includes working through business needs and mapping Quantum Algorithms (financial services, bioscience, chemistry and materials, optimization, generative AI, and other domains) into application code and executing Proof‑of‑Concepts together with the IonQ Application team.
• Share insights from clients with the IonQ Product Management and Engineering teams such that client feedback is incorporated into our products.
• Navigate competitive objection handling.
• Translate business needs expressed by our clients into technical work projects in collaboration with other team members.
• Create assets to explain features of our quantum applications and other IonQ quantum products.
• Move dialogs from initial ideation to focused exploration domain through to proof‑of‑concept and ultimately into production workflows.
• Lead client discovery sessions for business‑oriented use cases that uncover potential overlap with development of useful quantum algorithms together with the IonQ Application team.
• Partner with marketing, developer relations and business development to grow awareness of IonQ in the world at large.
• Attend industry conferences, as needed, to talk to clients and support our booth activities.
• This is a technical customer‑facing role with the appropriate balance of compensation acceleration for success and a base salary to ensure that credibility and technical correctness always comes first.

• 10+ years of experience in technical customer‑facing role or equivalent capacity. The ability to communicate (at the various context‑appropriate levels of depth) and persuade clearly, have strong EQ, and other customer‑facing skills are critical.
• US Citizen, with Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance required, with a full scope polygraph preferred.
• 5 years of focused experience with technology companies that support US Intel Agencies.
• Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or other STEM field, such as Chemistry, Physics or Engineering.
• Motivated learner with a strong interest in quantum computing.
• Mission oriented person – driven to help the US Federal Government Intel agencies.

• Masters or PhD in a STEM field, perhaps adjacent to quantum computing.
• Time on the customer side in various verticals included leadership roles – this provides customer empathy.
• Hands‑on experience with Qiskit, Cirq or other quantum computing SDK.
• Proficient in Python and Jupyter Notebooks.
• Expert architecture skills across various technologies ("full stack skills").
• Experience leading technical events.

This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD, Bothell, WA) or fully remote in the US or Canada.

Some travel expected in the US (20%) but opportunities for global travel are available as well for client meeting and IonQ conference activities.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $192,979 – $252,659. 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…