Senior Manager, Optical Systems Test

IonQ; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 174,520 - 228,492; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Matching 401(k)

Unlimited paid time off

Parental and adoption leave

Home-technology stipend

Job summary

IonQ, based in Bothell, WA, is seeking a Senior Manager of Optical Systems Test to lead a team of engineers delivering quantum systems. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of technical leadership experience in optics and mechanical systems, with expertise in managing the design lifecycle.

The position demands excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to achieve strategic goals. Benefits include comprehensive health plans and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on technical leadership and people management experience.
• Managing and mentoring engineers, physicists, or scientists at all levels.
• Experience taking complex products through the entire design lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of optical and mechanical engineers to deliver customer systems.
• Identify and drive design changes for improving optical system processes.
• Manage costs and schedules across operations programs.

Skills

Technical leadership

People management

Experience with free-space optics

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

Python

Go

Job description

IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. Their newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, represents a cutting‑edge system that has helped customers such as Amazon Web Services and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, IonQ achieved 99.99% two‑qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Location: This role will work onsite at our office in Bothell, WA. Travel: Up to 20% domestic and international. Job ID: 1584.

The Role

Senior Manager of Optical Systems Test to lead a team of optical verification engineers delivering quantum computers to customers. Candidates should have demonstrable experience developing optical and mechanical systems and tooling for all phases of the design lifecycle, with a focus on Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Test (DfT). The manager will guide the team to deliver with speed and accuracy, balancing automation and product maturity, while working cross‑functionally to improve quality, speed, and predictability of customer deliveries and support the company’s strategic revenue goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of optical and mechanical engineers to deliver customer systems in support of company objectives.
• Identify and drive design changes in current and future systems to improve optical system design and validation processes.
• Identify opportunities for test automation through tooling, software, etc.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Collaborate and communicate with internal and external customers, engineers, physicists, and leadership.
• Work with cross‑functional leadership to create, influence, and align on departmental and organizational goals.
• Manage costs and schedules across operations programs.
• Hire, develop, and retain top engineering and scientific talent.
• Lead root cause investigations to resolve highly complex issues impacting system delivery or operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of hands‑on technical leadership and people management experience.
• Experience managing and mentoring engineers, physicists, or scientists at all levels.
• Experience taking a complex product through the entire design lifecycle.
• Experience with free‑space optics and laser systems.
• Experience identifying and driving corrective actions for design issues in production systems.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrated by the ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of technical leadership and people management experience.
• Experience delivering complex hardware and software products to customers.
• Direct experience in complex system integration, especially in validation and verification.
• Experience integrating electronics and software.
• Prior experience managing managers.
• Prior experience with quantum computing.
• Experience with modern scripting languages such as Python or Go.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $174,520 – $228,492. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options.

Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited paid time off and holidays, parental and adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home‑technology stipend.

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 committed to equity and justice, welcoming diverse voices and viewpoints, and we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected class. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.