Staff Engineer - Software Controls

IonQ's quantum computing hardware is a complex mix of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems, many of which can benefit from ongoing closed-loop calibration to improve the performance and uptime of the computer. We are seeking an experienced Staff Control Engineer to implement our next-generation calibration software. You’ll help design and build a closed-loop control system that takes advantage of the huge amount of data we have available about the state of our system. You’ll be responsible for understanding the interplay between the physical and software layers, collaborating with experimental and theoretical physics teams, and helping us scale to meet our performance goals. Help us improve our control systems to build the world’s best quantum computers!

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and deployment of closed-loop calibration systems for our quantum computing hardware
• Ensure the quality of our system through design and code reviews 
• Collaborate with an experienced interdisciplinary staff
• Approach problems pragmatically
• Help us continuously improve how we do things

The ideal candidate will have experience leading or contributing to multiple simultaneous product development efforts, projects, and initiatives. You’ll be able to balance technical expertise and savvy with strong business judgment to make great technology choices. You’ll strive for simplicity and demonstrate significant creativity and incisive judgment.

You’d be a good fit with:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or related field
• 7+ years experience in one or more general-purpose programming languages (like Go, Rust, C++, or Python)
• 5+ years professional experience in a field (e.g. robotics) that utilizes feedback control systems and control theory, including classical and modern techniques: PID, frequency domain compensation, root locus, LQR, Kalman filters, and model predictive control
• Experience writing and testing control algorithms on physical hardware, and debugging with hardware-in-the-loop
  

You’d be a great fit with:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics, or related scientific field
• Experience with using machine learning techniques to inform closed-loop calibrations
• Prior experience working with lasers
• Familiarity with computer vision
• Basic or working knowledge of quantum computers