Staff Firmware Engineer

Physics World; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Atomic, an IonQ Company, is seeking a Technical Lead for Real-Time Control Systems based onsite in Pleasanton, CA. You will architect, design, and implement embedded control systems on ARM SoC platforms, guiding firmware and software teams.

This role blends hardware and software leadership with mentoring and process improvements. The role requires deep embedded experience, strong systems programming skills in C/C++, Rust, and extensive collaboration with hardware teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive embedded system architecture expertise.
• Design software systems from the ground up on ARM SoC and ST platforms.
• Strong debugging and profiling skills for hardware-software systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural direction for real-time control systems.
• Develop robust data acquisition pipelines and control algorithms.
• Mentor engineers and drive CI/CD, testing, and tooling improvements.
• Collaborate with hardware and firmware teams to bring up boards.

Skills

Rust proficiency

C/C++ systems programming

Embedded Linux

Python scripting

Lab equipment handling

CI/CD for embedded

Education

BS/MS in EE/CE/CS or PhD with 8+ years

Tools

SoC/FPGA

Linux kernel / device drivers

TCP/UART/MMAP

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 .

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 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. We value collaboration, curiosity, and diverse perspectives, and we give every team member the opportunity to make an immediate impact while growing their skills. If you're excited to work on breakthrough technology in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA. Travel: Up to 5%

Job ID: 1590

The Role

As a Technical Lead for Real-Time Control Systems, you will provide the architectural vision and technical leadership necessary to build next-generation quantum instruments. You will be responsible for designing complex embedded systems on ARM SoC and ST Micro platforms, developing robust data acquisition pipelines, and implementing the control algorithms that drive precision sensing technology. This role sits at the intersection of hardware and software, requiring you to bridge the gap between physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware teams. Beyond writing production-quality code, you will serve as a mentor and strategist, driving coding standards, hardware bring-up strategies, and the continuous improvement of development infrastructure to ensure the scalability of quantum control frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Provide architectural direction for real-time control systems and lead technical discussions across hardware and firmware teams.
• System Architecture: Design system controllers on ARM SoC, including user-space drivers, libraries, and reusable frameworks for quantum system control.
• Software Development: Write high-performance, production-quality code in C/C++ and Rust, establishing team-wide best practices and coding standards.
• Control Theory & Implementation: Define and implement essential control algorithms, including robust control loops with reliable error handling for precision instruments.
• Hardware Collaboration: Lead board testing and hardware bring-up strategies in coordination with hardware engineers.
• Mentorship: Guide junior and senior engineers through code reviews, pair programming, and proactive technical coaching.
• Process Improvement: Drive the evolution of development processes, tooling, and infrastructure, including CI/CD and automated testing.
• Strategic Representation: Act as the primary technical voice for the team during cross-functional reviews and strategic planning sessions.

Requirements

• BS/MS in EE, CE, or CS with 8-12 years of experience, or a PhD with 8+ years of related work experience.
• To comply with the US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.
• Embedded Expertise: Demonstrated mastery of complex embedded system architecture and designing software systems from the ground up.
• Systems Programming: Deep understanding of hardware-software interfaces (TCP, UART, MMAP) and low-level system programming.
• Technical Problem Solving: Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills using profilers, debuggers, and simulation tools.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and influence engineering decisions across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for articulating complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Environment: Must be comfortable working in a laboratory setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Rust Proficiency: Extensive experience developing production Rust systems, including async runtimes, concurrency patterns, and performance optimization.
• C++ Hybrid: Experience with embedded Linux alongside a strong understanding of C/C++ systems programming.
• Advanced Control Theory: Expert-level knowledge of PID, state-space controllers, and adaptive control algorithms.
• DSP & Algorithms: Experience with fixed-point algorithms, digital signal processing (DSP), and digital filter design.
• Hardware-Software Co-design: Strong background working with SoC/FPGA devices and Linux kernel/device driver development.
• Tooling & Scripting: Proficiency in Python for scientific libraries and developer tool creation.
• Lab Equipment Mastery: Hands‑on experience using oscilloscopes, function generators, and voltmeters to verify code performance.
• DevOps for Embedded: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks tailored for hardware/firmware.

Compensation

The approximate base salary range for this position is $163,430- $213,972. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

**Benefits will be provided by Vector Atomic, an IonQ Company, and will differ from the benefits listed on the IonQ website.**

Benefits

Vector Atomic values teamwork, open and honest discourse, and work-life balance. We offer competitive compensation and benefits including:

• 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

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.