Staff Engineer- Electrical

IonQ; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 163,430 - 213,972; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Platinum-level family health coverage

Health and dependent care FSA

401(k) contributions

20 days paid time off

Paid parental leave

Fully stocked kitchen

Job summary

IonQ in Pleasanton, CA, seeks a Staff Engineer – Electrical to design and develop advanced electronics for quantum sensors. You will drive the architecture of PCB assemblies and lead the full development cycle for innovative designs.

This role requires extensive experience in mixed-signal designs and a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. The position offers competitive benefits, including health coverage and 401(k) contributions, and an inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of experience in electrical engineering with a Bachelor's or 8+ years with a Master's.
• Professional experience developing mixed-signal PCBA designs.
• Proven ability to design precision electronics with specific noise and ripple specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-level electrical architecture for quantum sensors.
• Own the full development cycle of PCB designs.
• Provide technical mentorship to the electrical engineering team.

Skills

PCB Design

Mixed-Signal Design

System-Level Design

Technical Communication

Lab Testing Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Altium Designer

ECAD Tools

PLM Systems

Job description

About Vector Atomic

Vector Atomic, an IonQ company, is building quantum technology to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. Our team of engineers, scientists, software developers, and operations professionals works together to solve complex challenges and turn bold ideas into real‑world solutions.

Location: Pleasanton, CA (onsite). Travel: Up to 5%.

Role

Staff Engineer – Electrical. You will design and develop cutting‑edge electronics for next‑generation quantum sensors, leading the architecture of PCB assemblies featuring FPGAs, MCUs, mixed‑signal, and RF circuits.

Responsibilities

• Architectural Leadership: Lead high‑level electrical architecture for quantum sensors, balancing complex trade‑offs between size, weight, power, and performance (SWaPC).
• End‑to‑End PCB Development: Own the full development cycle, including requirement gathering, schematic capture, layout design, fabrication coordination, and performance verification.
• Technical Mentorship: Serve as a technical guide for the electrical engineering team, conducting rigorous design reviews and establishing hardware development best practices.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with physicists and mechanical, software, and optical engineers to translate system requirements into precision electronic designs.
• System Integration & Testing: Assist with board bring‑up, debugging, and system‑level integration to ensure all instrument specifications are met.
• Manufacturing Support: Support production by troubleshooting issues, developing test verification procedures, and optimizing boards for yield, quality, and testability.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive the evolution of engineering procedures and refine PCB designs to enhance instrument performance.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain precise design records within a cloud‑based PLM system, managing revisions and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).

Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 8–12 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 8+ years of experience.
• Export Compliance: To comply with U.S. export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents, or specific protected individuals.
• Design Expertise: At least 5 years of professional experience developing complex, mixed‑signal PCBA designs using professional ECAD tools.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in high‑density PCB design (fine‑pitch BGAs, high‑speed differential pairs, and mixed‑signal architectures).
• System‑Level Design: Deep understanding of system‑level design for programmable devices including SoCs, FPGAs, and MCUs.
• Precision Electronics: Proven ability to design precision electronics with strict noise and ripple specifications.
• Impedance & EMI: Mastery of controlled impedance structures, signal integrity, power distribution networks, and EMI/EMC‑aware layout practices.
• Lab Skills: Proficiency in a laboratory environment, including the use of standard electronic instrumentation for testing and hardware debugging.
• Operational Tools: Experience using PLM systems to manage designs and ECOs.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate across diverse engineering disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Software Mastery: Advanced expertise in Altium Designer for schematic capture, layout, library management, and output generation.
• RF Circuitry: Experience designing and implementing RF circuits on traditional PCBs or ceramic substrates.
• Photonic Integration: Previous experience integrating electronics with high‑precision components like lasers, AOMs, and photodetectors.
• Thermal Engineering: Knowledge of thermal analysis, including heatsinking, copper pours, thermal vias, and component derating.
• ASIC Knowledge: Foundational skills in defining, simulating, and verifying ASIC designs.
• Industry Background: Professional experience in the precision sensor sector, specifically with atomic clocks or Inertial Navigation Systems (INS).

Benefits

• Platinum‑level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off & 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Fully stocked kitchen

Salary

The approximate base salary range for this position is $163,430 to $213,972 per year. Compensation will vary based on education, qualifications, experience, location, and market data.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical 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 a legal non‑discriminatory employer and a proud Equal Employment Opportunity provider.