Staff Software Engineer - Automation & Calibration

The salary range for this position is $144,800 - $190,050.

We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer on the Automation & Calibration Team and in this role you’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems. 

Improving the quality and optimizing the efficiency of our quantum computers requires developing control routines and automated calibrations with our team of experimental physicist operators, and helping configure new hardware for the system. Prior experience with control theory, hardware device control, and working with scientists will be helpful; data analysis and statistical methods are even more useful. This is an opportunity for an experienced software engineer with an emerging or existing interest in quantum computing to bring their diverse background and talents into the future. Alternatively this is an opportunity for a quantum researcher with strong software engineering skills to engage in bringing quantum computers from the lab to the cloud. We’d love a blend of hands-on experience as well as tactical and strategic direction.

Responsibilities:

• Write code used to run physical experiments and regular quantum computer operations
• Write adapters for new hardware devices and new capabilities
• Automate and optimize the calibration of our systems’ physical parameters
• Collect and analyze data in a tight, continuous improvement loop
• Ensure high quality, scalable, well-tested software through architecture and code reviews
• Provide technical expertise in building robust and well-engineered software solutions
• Effectively self-manage projects, priorities, deadlines, and deliverables
• Identify, track and mitigate execution roadblocks and technical risks
• Closely collaborate with cross-functional teams of physicists, electrical engineers, and other software engineers to produce higher quality quantum computations
• Provide clear, concise communication to management and product development teams
• Drive continuous improvement to an established product development process
• Pair program with experimental physicists, teaching scalable software engineering practices along the way
• Mentor junior staff

You’d be a good fit with: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 7+ years programming experience in a general-purpose programming language (like Python, TypeScript, Go, Rust, or C++)
• Expert data analysis skills in areas like statistical testing, modeling and mathematical optimization, and/or machine learning
• Experience in working with technical experts outside of traditional software engineering, particularly electrical engineers and physicists
• Empathy: you'll work closely with our internal team of physicists who depend on our software every day 

You’d be a great fit with: 

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or a related degree
• 3+ years in machine learning and/or mathematical optimization
• A background in digital signal processing and/or control theory