Staff Software Engineer - Control Theory/Digital Signal Processing

Our quantum computers perform calculations by shooting individual atoms floating in a vacuum with carefully modulated laser pulses—the better the pulse, the better the computation. We’re looking for a staff software engineer to help us make the best pulses on the planet. You’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to ensure we consistently deliver the best quantum gates in the world, helping drive the technical direction for our next-generation quantum computers.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, design, architect, develop, test, deploy, maintain and improve major software components, systems, and features; being a small team, we count on each other to run with projects independently
• Write high-quality, well-tested, production-ready code in Rust and other languages
• Develop testing infrastructure for automated verification and validation

• Assist in the career development of others, providing mentorship on advanced technical issues

• 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 Engineering, Physics, Math, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years experience in software development in one or more general purpose programming languages, with strong knowledge of at least one systems programming language (e.g. C, C++, Rust)
• Excellent engineering skills in a few key areas:
• Digital signal processing, both mathematical foundations and bench experience in either image processing, RF, or optics
• Background in control theory and implementation of control theory algorithms
• Programmatic data acquisition from oscilloscopes and/or spectrum analyzers
• 5+ years applied digital signal processing experience, with a proven ability to develop, define, design and implement signal processing solutions in complex systems and real-time hardware
• Solid mathematical and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A love of collaborating in an interdisciplinary environment
• Empathy and customer focus: you'll work closely with our internal team of physicists who depend on our software every day 

You’d be a great fit with:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Physics, Math, Computer Science, or related technical field
• Experience working with RF or Optics
• Foundational knowledge of control theory algorithms and their derivation and application to one or more application domains

Location:

IonQ’s operating system teams are based in our bright, airy offices in College Park, MD and Seattle, WA. While we can be flexible for the right candidate, colocation supports our highly collaborative and interactive work with the hardware teams building the world’s best quantum computers.