Senior Staff Technical Program Manager

IonQ; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 168,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Capella, an IonQ company, seeks a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager to lead the planning and execution of a portfolio of spacecraft projects. You will manage cross-functional engineering teams, budgets, and risks, delivering complex hardware programs in aerospace.

You will mentor other program managers and drive programmatic excellence in a growth-focused environment, partnering across Capella and IonQ. This role emphasizes leadership and technical rigor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in engineering, systems, or related technical field.
• Minimum 12 years (BS) or 10 years (MS) of relevant experience.
• Experience with program/project management, budgets, and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end spacecraft program planning and execution.
• Manage multi-project portfolios with cross-functional teams.
• Oversee multimillion-dollar budgets and subcontractors.
• Synthesize complex requirements into actionable plans.
• Mentor other program managers and drive programmatic excellence.
• Apply Waterfall, Agile, and Scrum frameworks as needed.
• Communicate effectively with executives and stakeholders.

Skills

Program management

Agile / Scrum

Risk management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, systems, or related technical discipline

Master's degree in engineering, systems, or related technical discipline

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Smartsheet

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.

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 Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella's culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.

Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella's ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager to lead the planning and execution of a portfolio of projects that drive the advancement of our current and next-generation spacecraft. You will be responsible for leading cross-functional engineering teams, managing full program lifecycle execution—including schedule, budget and risk. You will serve as a trusted leader to cross-functional teams, bringing deep domain expertise, sound judgment, and a track record of delivering sophisticated hardware programs in the aerospace domain.

You will also play a key role in mentoring and developing other program managers and team members, helping to elevate programmatic excellence and foster a culture of growth, accountability, and collaboration across the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven team and make a direct impact on major company initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Experience leading end-to-end spacecraft programs from early development through qualification, production, and delivery
• Proven ability to manage a diverse portfolio aligned to business and technical strategy, while driving clarity, accountability, and measurable progress across multiple development efforts
• Experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets, including labor planning, materials procurement, and subcontractor oversight
• Ability to synthesize complex technical requirements into actionable work plans and effectively manage interdependencies
• Highly self-directed, adaptable, and effective in dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to prioritize projects and programs based on strategic importance, resource availability and business impact
• Strong Problem-solving and proven data driving-decision making abilities, proactively identifying critical-path actions, risks, and opportunities to accelerate progress
• Recognized mentor and leader, with a track record of developing other program managers and fostering high-performing teams
• Deep familiarity with multiple project management frameworks (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Scrum) and the judgment to tailor approaches to fit program needs
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of tailoring messaging for executive, technical, and other cross-functional stakeholders

Requirements

• 12+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or 10+ years with a Master's degree in engineering, systems, or a related technical discipline
• Proficiency in project management software tools and collaboration platforms such as MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, and Confluence
• Experience with Jira/agile management
• Proven ability to manage technical development and/or R&D scope
• Must be eligible to maintain security clearance
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.

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

Wage Transparency:

$167,808—$225,628 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 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.