Senior Staff Software Engineer - Compiler Tools

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IonQ is hiring a Senior Staff Software Engineer for Compiler and Simulation Tools to lead the architecture of our compiler APIs, SDKs, and the simulator. You will own long-term strategy, author RFCs, and shape open source plan for the quantum ecosystem. Key focus areas include scalable toolchains, visibility into optimization, end-to-end testing, and cross-functional collaboration with the Compiler and QEC teams. To apply, highlight leadership delivering production tooling, RFCs you authored, and open-source contributions. Requirements: 10+ years software experience, 5+ years in scientific libraries or SDKs, strong Python and C++ or Rust, quantum knowledge, proven production delivery. Onsite or hybrid in Bothell or Oxford, travel up to 5%.

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution. 

As Senior Staff Software Engineer for Compiler and Simulation Tools, you'll serve as the technical lead and primary architect of IonQ's compiler and simulation tooling, partnering closely with the Compiler and QEC teams to drive the strategy and quality of customer-facing tools that quantum developers depend on. You'll own the long-term architecture and maintenance strategy for compilation APIs, SDK integrations, and simulator packages, while setting the engineering bar for how quantum compilation and simulation capabilities are developed, packaged, and delivered.

The Developer Tools team builds the software layer connecting quantum developers to IonQ's quantum computers. In this role, you'll maintain an ecosystem of tooling and shape its direction. You’ll develop an effective open sourcing strategy to make our tools available to the broader quantum ecosystem. You'll translate real-world developer pain points into architectural improvements, define standards for how the team ships production software, and mentor engineers across the team. You'll also serve as a key voice in cross-organizational decisions, protecting the Compiler team's innovation bandwidth while ensuring that their advances reach developers reliably and with exceptional quality.

What You'll Do

You'll lead the architecture and implementation of compiler premium configurations, OpenAPI-based SDK foundations for compilation workflows, and compiler transparency features that give developers deep insight into how their circuits are optimized. You'll own the strategy for packaging and deploying IonQ's noisy simulator as standalone, distributable products for enterprise customers and partner integrations. You'll drive the technical direction for error mitigation production tooling, fault-tolerant quantum computing programming model integrations, and end-to-end testing infrastructure across IonQ's evolving quantum systems.

This role demands both deep technical expertise in quantum compilation and simulation, and the leadership to define how world-class innovations become reliable, well-documented, production-grade software. You'll author formal RFCs and design documents, set architectural precedents, and work across organizational boundaries to align the compiler and simulation roadmap with IonQ's broader strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical vision and architecture for compiler and simulation tooling, authoring RFCs and design documents that drive organizational alignment
• Lead the compiler innovation tooling pipeline: taking new features from the Compiler team through testing, documentation, packaging, and release
• Design and maintain compilation toolchains, optimization tools, and circuit transformation libraries at scale
• Define the strategy for packaging and distributing IonQ's noisy simulator as deployable enterprise products (Docker containers, standalone packages, on-premise deployments)
• Architect interfaces for compiler transparency features, giving developers deep visibility into optimization decisions
• Establish standards for noise model configurations and simulator versioning across deployed packages
• Lead the technical direction for error mitigation production tooling and quantum error correction infrastructure
• Drive fault-tolerant quantum computing programming model compiler integrations
• Own comprehensive end-to-end testing architecture for compilation jobs across backends and gate sets
• Mentor senior and junior engineers, establishing high standards for code quality, reliability, and performance
• Engage proactively across organizational boundaries to represent developer needs, shape API design, and influence feature prioritization with the Compiler team
• Collaborate with SDK engineers to ensure seamless integration of compilation and simulation capabilities into developer workflows

You'd Be a Good Fit With

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related field, or equivalent training, fellowship, or work experience
• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience working in team environments
• 5+ years leading design and architecture of scientific libraries, compiler tooling, or production SDK infrastructure
• Deep proficiency in Python, our primary language
• Strong experience with C++ or Rust for system-level programming and performance-critical code
• Understanding of quantum circuits, gates, and compilation fundamentals
• Proven track record taking research implementations and turning them into production-ready, maintainable software at scale
• Experience authoring technical specifications, RFCs, and design documents that drive organizational alignment
• Experience identifying and resolving systemic technical challenges spanning multiple teams
• Experience mentoring and guiding engineers of all levels to ensure high standards for code quality and performance
• Ability to build consensus across organizational boundaries in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Experience with automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and release engineering
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI coding assistants (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude, etc.) to enhance productivity and code quality

You'd Be a Great Fit With

• 12+ years of professional software experience
• Deep experience with quantum compilers, circuit optimization, or quantum error correction
• Background in compiler development for classical or quantum systems
• Proficiency with quantum computing SDKs (Qiskit, Pennylane, Cirq)
• Experience with quantum simulation, noise modeling, or resource estimation
• Understanding of fault-tolerant quantum computing and logical qubits
• Experience packaging and deploying scientific software (Docker, containers, distribution platforms)
• Experience maintaining open-source software with outside contributors and building developer communities
• Previous work in scientific computing, HPC, or physics simulation
• Experience working with major technology partners or research institutions on complex technical integrations
• Significant contributions to or leadership roles in major open-source projects
• Publications or contributions to quantum computing research

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from Bothell, Washington (US) or in Oxford, England (UK). 
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID:  1331

The approximate base salary range for this position is $200,698 - $262.765. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our US benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance! 

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
 
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.

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!