Principal Cryptography Architect – Classical & PQC Hybrid

Physics World; Genf; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Home tech stipend

401(k) match

Job summary

IonQ, a leading quantum company, seeks a Principal Engineer to own the classical cryptography architecture for PQC hardware acceleration products, including HSM and network appliances. You will shape hybrid classical/post-quantum schemes, manage key hierarchies, and drive certification programs.

You will collaborate with PQC architects and RTL/software teams, ensuring secure, interoperable cryptographic solutions across deployments in hybrid quantum environments.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Cryptography, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Deep command of symmetric and asymmetric primitives, modes of operation, key management and entropy generation.
• Experience with FIPS 140-3 or Common Criteria evaluation.
• Fluency in English; French/German an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and implementation strategy of classical cryptographic functions (AES/GCM, SHA-2/3, HMAC/KDF, RSA/ECC, entropy architecture).
• Define hybrid classical/post-quantum schemes and crypto-agility mechanisms.
• Guide RTL and software engineers; evaluate third-party IP; support FIPS 140-3 and CAVP certification.
• Manage key-management and key-hierarchy across products; ensure interoperability with HSM, TLS, IPsec.

Skills

Cryptography mastery

Classical cryptography

Post-quantum cryptography

Hybrid classical/PQC schemes

Key management

Crypto agility

Education

Master's or PhD in Cryptography/CS/EE

Job description

IonQ, a leading quantum company, seeks a Principal Engineer to own the classical cryptography architecture for PQC hardware acceleration products, including HSM and network appliances. You will shape hybrid classical/post-quantum schemes, manage key hierarchies, and drive certification programs.

You will collaborate with PQC architects and RTL/software teams, ensuring secure, interoperable cryptographic solutions across deployments in hybrid quantum environments.