Staff Engineer - Cryogenics

IonQ, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. is seeking a Staff Cryogenic Engineer in Boston to lead the development of cryogenic subsystems for diamond‑based photonic interconnects in IonQ quantum processors.

You will advance R&D scale subsystems, ensure reliability, and deploy robust cryogenic elements across IonQ sites and customer sites. You will help mature cryogenic wiring, sensors, heaters, and UHV techniques while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to integrate these systems into scalable, manufacturable

Qualifications

• Masters in physics, applied physics, mechanical engineering, or closely related field.
• 7+ years of experience in cryo industry.
• Experience designing and evaluating performance of complex cryogenic systems.
• Experience with operating and maintaining dilation, 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

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

Skills

Cryogenic engineering

Cryogenic systems design

CAD design

Vendor interaction

Cryogenic instrumentation

Education

Masters in physics / applied physics / mechanical engineering

PhD in physics / applied physics / mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD software

Cryogenic testing equipment

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.
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.

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 dilation, 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

Wage Transparency

$152,000 — $190,000 USD

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

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

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.

Our Culture

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.