Associate Firmware Engineer

Socket.dev; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) contributions

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Kitchen stocked

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. in Pleasanton, CA, is seeking an Associate Firmware Engineer to develop embedded software for next-generation quantum sensing instruments.

You will collaborate with world-class physicists and hardware engineers to write production-quality C/C++ and implement control algorithms on ST microcontrollers. This hands-on role emphasizes real-time control systems inside instruments that measure the universe, with opportunities to contribute across the hardware-software stack in a lab

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science from an accredited program, we're targeting graduates from highly rated programs with strong fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ for small embedded processors
• Experience writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments
• Scripting experience in Python, Perl, or similar languages
• Hands-on experience with lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters)
• Strong debugging instincts, able to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools

Responsibilities

• 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 quantum sensing instruments
• Develop peripheral drivers for mixed-signal devices, working directly from electronic schematics
• Partner with hardware engineers on board testing and bring-up activities
• Contribute to a rigorous engineering culture through code reviews, GitHub task tickets, and retrospectives
• Clearly document and communicate your work in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment

Skills

Embedded C/C++

RTOS / Bare-metal

Python scripting

Lab instruments

Debugging skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in EE/CE/CS

Tools

ST microcontrollers

Oscilloscopes

Function generators

Electronic schematics

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. 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.

About Vector Atomic:

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.

Location

This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA.

Travel

Up to 5%, domestic or international.

Job ID

1702

The Role

We're looking for exceptional early-career engineers to grow with us. As an Associate Firmware Engineer, you'll work alongside world-class physicists and hardware engineers to build embedded software for next-generation quantum sensing instruments. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where your code directly enables precision measurement at the frontier of quantum technology.

If you've just completed a degree from a top engineering program and want to do work that matters, not CRUD apps, but real-time control systems running inside instruments that measure the universe, this is your role.

Responsibilities

• 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 quantum sensing instruments
• Develop peripheral drivers for mixed-signal devices, working directly from electronic schematics
• Partner with hardware engineers on board testing and bring-up activities
• Contribute to a rigorous engineering culture through code reviews, GitHub task tickets, and retrospectives
• Clearly document and communicate your work in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science from an accredited program, we're targeting graduates from highly rated programs with strong fundamentals
• Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ for small embedded processors
• Experience writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments
• Scripting experience in Python, Perl, or similar languages
• Hands-on experience with lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters)
• Strong debugging instincts, able to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools
• Comfort working in a laboratory setting
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing PID or other control algorithms
• Familiarity with fixed-point arithmetic and digital filter design
• Experience with communication protocols: TCP, UDP, UART, SPI, I2C, or similar
• Assembly language programming for embedded targets
• Experience with lightweight Ethernet stacks (e.g., lwIP)
• Background with SoC or FPGA devices

Benefits

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)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off & 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Fully stocked kitchen

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity and benefits. It's atypical to be hired at the top end of this range for the role, as actual pay is based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Wage Transparency

If this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range.

Wage Transparency:

$107,458 - $154,089 USD

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; 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.