Staff Scientist, Quantum Apps (Defense) – Remote NM

IonQ, Inc.; New Mexico; Remote; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. is seeking two Staff Scientists – Quantum Applications (Defense) to join our Customer Solutions team.

You will work with clients across academia, enterprise, government and national labs to create quantum solutions tailored to defense missions. This hands‑on, externally facing role places customers first and involves translating defense problems into quantum code and integrating solutions into workflows.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or similar STEM field plus 4+ years of professional work experience developing quantum applications for defense‑related use cases (e.g. optimization, AIML, ChemMatBio)
• Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications; contributions to open‑source or production‑grade codebases are a plus
• Experience leading Federal, DefenseTech and Industrial R&D engagements
• Experience tuning quantum algorithms and benchmarking across different quantum modalities, as well as classical SOTA; knowledge of resource estimation and cross‑over points
• Mastery of Python and Qiskit or similar quantum SDK; working knowledge of C++ or other low‑level language
• Evidence of putting customers and mission first, and exceeding expectations
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Must reside in New Mexico

Responsibilities

• Develop impactful hybrid quantum applications that accelerate defense‑related missions; partner with clients to identify, define, and solve problems using IonQ trapped‑ion quantum computers
• Lead integration of quantum algorithms into realistic workflows by translating problem statements into quantum code and solving with quantum computers
• Proactively evolve algorithmic approach with the IonQ hardware roadmap (NISQ to FTQC)
• Benchmark quantum algorithm performance against SOTA methods and map crossover points for customer communication
• Develop foundational IP and publish in peer‑reviewed venues; represent IonQ at conferences and with customers

Skills

Python

Qiskit

C++

Quantum algorithms

Publications

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Physics/CS/Math

Tools

Python SDKs

Job description

IonQ, Inc. is seeking two Staff Scientists – Quantum Applications (Defense) to join our Customer Solutions team.

You will work with clients across academia, enterprise, government and national labs to create quantum solutions tailored to defense missions. This hands‑on, externally facing role places customers first and involves translating defense problems into quantum code and integrating solutions into workflows.