Senior Microwave Research Scientist, Quantum Computing at IonQ (Remote, USA)
Job Description
IonQ is looking for a Senior Microwave Research Scientist to design the microwave circuits that control its qubits. The role is remote within the US and spans the whole path from system specifications to fabricated, validated components.
At a glance
- Role: Senior Microwave Research Scientist
- Where: remote, United States
- Pay: US$126,887–166,127 base, plus bonus and equity
- Experience: 10+ years designing microwave devices
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 11 October 2026)
About the microwave research scientist role
- Work with architecture teams to turn system-level specifications into component design rules and performance targets
- Design microwave circuits for qubit control, accounting for fabrication constraints, cryogenic compatibility and system-level interactions
- Manage layout and mask handoff, partnering with foundries to fabricate devices at scale
- Lead validation with test and measurement teams to confirm that fabricated parts meet specifications
What IonQ is looking for
- 10 or more years of experience designing microwave devices
- An MS in electrical engineering, physics or a related field
- Experience leading cross-disciplinary teams on large projects
Nice to have
- A PhD in electrical engineering or physics with 5+ years of experience
- Experience hiring and training research and development teams
- Knowledge of cryogenic testing and operation
- Familiarity with architectures for distributed quantum computing, sensing and networking
Microwave control is central to many qubit technologies, and designing circuits that behave well at cryogenic temperatures, across many channels and at foundry scale, is a specialised skill that this role puts at the centre of IonQ’s hardware roadmap.
Pay and location
The approximate base salary is US$126,887–166,127, plus bonus and equity. The role is listed as remote within the United States.
How to apply
Apply through the official IonQ job posting. IonQ’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled. ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 11 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
Looking for more roles like this? Browse our research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: IonQ
Official advertisement: job-boards.greenhouse.io
How to prepare for this interview
- A design story end to end: walk through one microwave device you took from specification through simulation, tape-out and measurement.
- Cryogenic constraints: be ready to discuss heat load, attenuation and material choices for circuits that operate cold.
- Electromagnetic simulation: explain how you validate simulated designs against measured S-parameters.
- Leadership: prepare examples of leading a cross-disciplinary team and working with a foundry.
- Quantum context: read up on how microwave fields are used to drive trapped-ion qubits.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) builds trapped-ion quantum computers and describes itself as a quantum platform company working across computing, networking, sensing and security. It is headquartered in College Park, Maryland, with operations in several US states and in Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United Kingdom, and its quantum computers are available through the major cloud providers.
