Quantum Benchmarking Program Lead

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

IonQ is seeking a Program Manager within the Architecture team in College Park, Maryland. You will connect internal quantum computer development to the DARPA benchmarking initiative, translating test results into a trustworthy schedule for government customers.

You will own external deliverables, negotiate with government evaluators, and coordinate site visits and reviews. A security clearance will be needed. This role is based on-site with a strong emphasis on cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience with trapped ion or neutral atom systems or similar quantum hardware.
• Around five years of hands-on quantum experience, in industry or academia.
• A degree alone is not enough; practical planning ability matters.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain an integrated master schedule across internal quantum development efforts.
• Forecast and report risk to contractual milestones and identify gaps.
• Manage architecture, verification and validation deliverables with government teams.
• Plan commissioning and delivery of quantum computers to customer sites.
• Organise customer site visits, technical reviews and status reporting.

Skills

Quantum hardware experience

Program management

Integrated master schedule

Government contracting

Stakeholder management

Security clearance

Education

PhD in physics/engineering (relevant field)

Bachelor’s degree in physics/engineering

Job description

IonQ is seeking a Program Manager within the Architecture team in College Park, Maryland. You will connect internal quantum computer development to the DARPA benchmarking initiative, translating test results into a trustworthy schedule for government customers.

You will own external deliverables, negotiate with government evaluators, and coordinate site visits and reviews. A security clearance will be needed. This role is based on-site with a strong emphasis on cross‑functional collaboration.