Staff FPGA Engineer

Physics World; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Annual performance bonus

Hybrid work

Job summary

IonQ is seeking a Staff FPGA Engineer to join the FPGA Team to design and develop RTL features for real-time quantum control systems. You will own critical control functions and contribute to building the world’s most advanced quantum systems.

You will design, verify, and test FPGA-based signal processing and control modules, with strong emphasis on Verilog/VHDL, SystemVerilog and high-performance embedded solutions, in a collaborative, fast-moving team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics.
• Strong FPGA design and verification experience.
• Experience with Verilog/VHDL, SystemVerilog, and VX toolchains.
• Proficient in Python and MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and verification.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test RTL modules for real-time quantum control systems.
• Own, architect, and develop critical FPGA control functions.
• Perform simulations and quality verification of signal processing algorithms.
• Write and execute test procedures, unit and system tests, and document results.

Skills

FPGA design

Verilog/VHDL

SystemVerilog

Python/MATLAB

Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC

DSP/Signal processing

JTAG/ILA

Education

Electrical Engineering

Physics

Mathematics

Tools

Vivado

IP Catalog

Cadence

ModelSim

Synopsys

Job description

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 .

Job Details

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.

What To Expect

We are looking for a Staff FPGA Engineer to join our FPGA Team at IonQ. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and developing FPGA features, contributing to the team's mission of delivering best in class control systems. You'll play an important part in shaping hardware that supports our work in building the world's most advanced quantum systems.

What You'll Be Responsible For

In this position, you will work on designing, developing and testing RTL modules, supporting the effective delivery of real-time control logic for quantum control systems. You'll have the opportunity to own, architect, and develop critical control functions, contributing directly to the success of operating a quantum computer.

• Work independently to design and implement FPGA based signal processing and control functions and develop functional block specifications based on system level requirements
• Perform logic design using Vivado (Verilog or VHDL, IP Catalog, and Block Design as well as perform logic simulation/verification using simulation/verification software
• Simulate signal processing and control algorithms in software
• Implement and test firmware for high speed waveform generation and digital control loops. Write test procedures, perform unit and system level testing and debug, document test results

Requirements

To be successful, you will need strong FPGA design and verification experience and experience working on complex systems. You will have experience in development, verification, and debugging of FPGA-based systems, with a strong focus on signal processing and high-performance embedded solutions. We're looking for someone who can work cross-functionally to gather requirements, architect, design, and contribute effectively within a fast-moving, highly technical team.

To be successful in this position, you will need a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field, along with at least 10 years of hands‑on FPGA development experience. You should have detailed knowledge of FPGA-based signal processing techniques including DDC/DUC, DDS, and FIR/IIR filters, as well as strong experience in FPGA verification and SystemVerilog development. We're looking for someone who is fluent in modelling and simulation using Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink, with practical experience in code coverage, functional coverage, and industry-standard verification tools such as Synopsys, Cadence, and ModelSim. Familiarity with Xilinx Ultrascale+ MPSoC devices and common peripheral interfaces including SPI, I2C, UART, and USB is also essential.

You will also be confident using JTAG and Integrated Logic Analyzers for system debugging and proficient with complex laboratory equipment such as signal generators, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers.

You'd Be a Great Fit With

• Experience with ASIC design and tapeout process
• Experience implementing digital control (PID, feedforward, MIMO) algorithms in FPGA firmware
• Prior experience with high speed interface design and verification including ADC/DAC (DDR and JESD204B), DDR3/4 MIG, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Working knowledge of embedded linux and linux device drivers
• Experience using GitLab for automated firmware build and validation
• Experience working closely with board design and software development teams

Benefits

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world-class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs.

The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying "U.S. Person" (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export‑controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs.

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.