Engineer - 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.

Vector Atomic, an IonQ company, is building quantum technology to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. Our team of engineers, scientists, software developers, and operations professionals works together to solve complex challenges and turn bold ideas into real-world solutions. We value collaboration, curiosity, and diverse perspectives, and we give every team member the opportunity to make an immediate impact while growing their skills.

If you're excited to work on breakthrough technology in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, we'd love to hear from you.

We are actively seeking versatile R&D Engineers to build ultra-precise quantum devices for autonomous/GPS-free navigation, high-bandwidth satellite communications, and geophysical exploration. This is a jack-of-all-trades role demanding a skilled and flexible engineer ready to thrive in a dynamic R&D environment. While the ideal candidate will possess a strong subset of the required skills, a willingness and capability to rapidly learn new ones are crucial.

Location:

This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA (Bay Area)

• Build and test optical, electrical, or vacuum systems
• Systems integration of electronics controller with sensors
• Set-up test equipment; automate data collection

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field plus 2-5 years relevant work experience.
• To comply with the US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal.

• Lasers and optics, electronics, and/or vacuum systems in an R&D environment
• Laser and optical system prototyping
• Electronic test instrumentation such including oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power supplies and voltmeters
• Experience designing, building, and working with electromechanical assemblies.
• System integration, bring-up, and debugging
• Basic bring-up of PCB boards
• Electromechanical design of custom/semi-custom enclosures for electronic assemblies that address issues of shielding, grounding and thermal constraints
• Design and build of custom cabling and interface boards
• Computer-aided design
• Basic machining skill

Vector Atomic values teamwork, open and honest discourse, and work-life balance. We offer competitive compensation and benefits including:

• Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Hea…