Staff Engineer - Cryogenics

Physics World; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) matching

Paid time off and holidays

Parental/adoption leave

Home technology stipend

Job summary

IonQ is seeking a Staff Cryogenic Engineer to develop a cryogenic platform for diamond‑based photonic interconnects between IonQ quantum processors. You will lead R&D scale subsystems and contribute to commercializing IonQ’s SiV quantum memories across computing, networking, and sensing.

You will join a cross‑functional team delivering robust, reliable technologies deployable at IonQ or customer sites, with ongoing maintenance as technology evolves.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in physics, applied physics, mechanical engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of cryogenic industry experience.
• Experience designing and evaluating performance of complex cryogenic systems.
• Experience operating and maintaining dilution, sorption, 1K cryostats.
• Experience with cryogenic wiring, sensors and heaters.
• Experience with UHV systems in cryogenic environments.
• Experience with CAD systems and manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Customize commercially available cryostats for quantum memory needs.
• Work with vendors to design deployable cryogenic systems.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve cryogenic platforms.
• Provide operational support for the current cryostat fleet.

Skills

Cryogenic engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in physics or related field

PhD in physics or related field (preferred)

Tools

CAD software

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 .

Job Details

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 .

Location: This role will be based onsite at our Boston, MA office.

Travel: 10%, domestic and international.

Job ID: 1912

The Role

We are looking for a Staff Cryogenic Engineer for support and developing a cryogenic platform for diamond‑based photonic interconnects between IonQ quantum processors. As a Staff Cryogenic Engineer, you’ll be part of a cross‑functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum technologies to solve the world’s most complex problems.

In this role, you will be an integral part of the commercialization process for IonQ’s SiV quantum memories, with applications across quantum computing, networking, and sensing. You will develop and mature cryogenic subsystems for defect‑center based quantum memory nodes. Specifically, this involves engineering R&D‑scale subsystems and processes into robust, reliable elements deployable at other IonQ and/or customer sites, which can be efficiently maintained and/or updated as the technology evolves.

Responsibilities

• Customize commercially available cryostats for quantum memory‑specific needs
• Work with vendors to design and configure deployable cryogenic systems
• Work with IonQ internal teams to improve the current cryogenic platforms
• Provide operational support for the current fleet of cryostats

Requirements

• Masters in physics, applied physics, mechanical engineering, or closely related field
• Experience working in cryo industry for 7+ years
• Experience in designing and evaluating performance of complex cryogenic systems
• Experience with operating and maintaining dilution, sorption, 1K cryostats
• Experience with cryogenic wiring, sensors, and heaters
• Experience with UHV systems in cryogenic environment: pumping, leak detection, sealing and joining techniques
• Experience with CAD systems and manufacturing

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in physics, applied physics, mechanical engineering, or closely related field
• Experience working in cryo industry for 10+ years
• Experience with managing complex production lines
• Experience managing customer projects
• Experience with free‑space or fiber optics
• Experience with working and integration of superconducting magnets

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.
Wage Transparency
$152,000 - $190,000 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.