Staff Scientist, Quantum Applications (Defense) - Remote

IonQ, Inc.; Santa Fe (NM); Remote; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits package

Bonus

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. is seeking two Staff Scientists - Quantum Applications (Defense) in New Mexico (Remote) to join a newly formed Customer Solutions team.

You will lead the development of hybrid quantum applications for defense missions, working directly with clients across academia, government, and industry to solve mission-driven problems using IonQ’s trapped‑ion quantum computers. You will translate problem statements into quantum code, benchmark performance, and contribute to IP, publications, and

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or similar STEM field; 4+ years of professional work experience in quantum applications for defense.
• Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience leading Federal, DefenseTech and Industrial R&D engagements.
• Experience tuning quantum algorithms and benchmarking across different quantum modalities, as well as classical SOTA.
• Mastery of Python and Qiskit; working knowledge of C++; evidence of customer-focused results.

Responsibilities

• Develop impactful hybrid quantum applications for defense-related missions.
• Partner with clients to define and solve problems using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers.
• Lead integration of quantum algorithms into workflows and benchmark against SOTA methods.
• Evolve algorithmic approaches with the hardware roadmap; communicate outcomes to customers.
• Develop foundational IP and publish peer-reviewed work; represent IonQ externally at conferences.

Skills

Quantum algorithms

Python

Qiskit

C++

Collaboration & communication

Education

Doctorate degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or similar STEM field

Tools

Qiskit

Python

C++

Job description

IonQ, Inc. is seeking two Staff Scientists - Quantum Applications (Defense) in New Mexico (Remote) to join a newly formed Customer Solutions team.

You will lead the development of hybrid quantum applications for defense missions, working directly with clients across academia, government, and industry to solve mission-driven problems using IonQ’s trapped‑ion quantum computers. You will translate problem statements into quantum code, benchmark performance, and contribute to IP, publications, and