Quantum-Safe Networking Architect

IonQ; College Park (MD); Hybrid; USD 193,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

IonQ is hiring a Principal Solutions Architect to shape how networks become quantum-safe for the world''s largest operators, enterprises, and government agencies. You will design target architectures, migrate cryptography, and drive proofs of concept with customers, while influencing product direction and industry standards.

The role blends customer-facing architecture work with internal design authority and public thought leadership, requiring strong communication skills and deep networking and

Qualifications

• 15+ years designing and securing enterprise and/or service provider networks.
• Deep knowledge of how networks are built and secured today: routing, IP transport, firewall design, VPNs, Zero Trust.
• Post-quantum cryptography and crypto-agility understanding or interest.
• Strong written communication and ability to produce architecture guidance.

Responsibilities

• Design quantum-safe target architectures and migration paths for customer networks across WAN, data center, campus, and transport.
• Lead architecture workshops with network, security, and infrastructure teams and build actionable migration plans.
• Own technical thread in complex pursuits: architecture proposals, RFI/RFP responses, security questions, and competitive positioning.
• Design and run proofs of concept, interoperability tests, and pilots including PQC and hybrid key exchange in production-like environments.
• Translate field learning into reusable reference architectures, migration playbooks, and standards.
• Serve as the customer's voice in product process; provide actionable roadmap constraints to Product and Engineering.
• Track standards and threat landscape (NIST PQC, IETF) and keep architectures ahead.
• Partner with Marketing to build IonQ's technical presence via talks, papers, blogs, and events.
• Raise technical bar through architecture reviews and mentoring.

Skills

Networking architecture

Security architecture

Cryptography

Customer-facing

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Physics/Math

Tools

Python

Job description

IonQ is hiring a Principal Solutions Architect to shape how networks become quantum-safe for the world''s largest operators, enterprises, and government agencies. You will design target architectures, migrate cryptography, and drive proofs of concept with customers, while influencing product direction and industry standards.

The role blends customer-facing architecture work with internal design authority and public thought leadership, requiring strong communication skills and deep networking and