Senior Engineer Firmware

Overview

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 Tempo is the latest generation of quantum computers, used to help customers and partners achieve high performance across various sectors. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations across multiple states and countries, offering quantum computing services through major cloud providers.

Vector Atomic, an IonQ company, is building quantum technology to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. This role is based onsite at our Pleasanton, CA office. Travel:
Up to 5%, domestic or international. Job .

We are looking for a skilled Senior Firmware Engineer to join a cross-functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware developers building next-generation quantum sensing instruments. You will design, implement, and verify embedded software for ST microcontrollers — including COTS devices and MCUs on custom ASICs — and develop the low-level control algorithms that enable precision measurement. You will work closely with hardware engineers throughout the full product development lifecycle, from schematic review to board bring-up and production.

• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to design and deliver next-generation quantum instruments.
• Write and verify embedded firmware for ST microcontrollers, including COTS devices and MCUs integrated into custom ASICs.
• Implement control algorithms critical to the operation of high-precision sensing instruments.
• Develop peripheral drivers for mixed-signal devices, working from electronic schematics.
• Partner with hardware engineers to support board testing and hardware bring-up activities.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement by authoring task tickets in Git Hub and participating in code reviews, project reviews, and retrospectives.
• Clearly document and communicate your work through written and verbal channels with coworkers and collaborators.

• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with substantial embedded systems coursework, lab, or internship experience; other technical degrees considered with 5+ years of directly relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ code for small embedded processors.
• Proficiency writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware for embedded MCUs using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments.
• Experience interfacing with external devices via TCP, UDP, UART, SPI, I2C, or similar protocols.
• Familiarity with fixed-point arithmetic and digital filter design for embedded applications.
• Experience developing scripts in Python, Perl, or similar languages.
• Hands-on experience using test and measurement equipment to validate firmware performance.
• Proven ability to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools.
• Comfortable working in a laboratory environment.
• To comply with US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain categories of refugees/asylees.

• Experience designing and implementing control algorithms such as PID controllers.
• Proficiency in assembly language programming for embedded targets.
• Experience implementing lightweight Ethernet stacks (e.g., lwIP) on small embedded systems.
• Background working with SoC or FPGA devices.

Benefits will be provided by Vector Atomic, an IonQ Company. Details of participation in benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Vector Atomic values teamwork, open communication, and work-life balance, offering competitive compensation and benefits including:

• Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off and 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Fully stocked kitchen

Salary range:
Approximately $142,113 to $186,063 per year base, with…