Senior Quantum Hardware Engineer - Customer System Installation

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. 

We’re now scaling beyond our own labs and into customer environments across the globe—and we’re looking for a Quantum Hardware Engineer to be on the front lines of that rollout. This role is a high-impact, high-travel position that blends deep technical expertise in complex hardware with the leadership and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in the field. You’ll take complete, cutting-edge quantum systems and bring them to life in the field: installing and integrating them in customer facilities, then working side-by-side with internal and external teams to ensure they’re rock-solid and ready for production use. If you love complex hardware, thrive in ambiguity, and want a front-row seat to the quantum computing revolution, this is it. 

The Quantum Hardware Engineer will support the initial setup of equipment at customer locations and assembly and full installation of customer-grade quantum computers. The ideal candidate has a strong background in manufacturing and is hands-on to their core. You will be the technical leader on the ground, taking a system from transport crates to a fully operational, state-of-the-art quantum computer. 

Why This Role Is Exciting: 

• You are literally installing the future. The systems you build on customer sites are among the most advanced computing devices in the world. 
• Extreme variety. Every deployment is different—new labs, new facilities, new challenges, and new people to collaborate with. 
• Massive impact. Your work directly enables customers—governments, enterprises, and research labs—to run real workloads on IonQ hardware. 
• Career acceleration. You’ll gain a uniquely broad view across IonQ: quantum core, control systems, manufacturing, test, product, and customer operations. That exposure is a powerful platform for long-term growth. 
• World-class teammates. You’ll work alongside physicists, engineers, and program 

Responsibilities: 

• Partner with other field engineers and scientists to own the full-stack installation of our quantum computing systems at customer data centers, both domestically and internationally. This includes installation and integration of the entire system.
• Travel to customer sites for multi-week to multi-month deployments to install and integrate complex subsystems (optics, lasers, vacuum hardware, control electronics, racks, enclosures, networking, and cooling systems) with meticulous attention to detail.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in the field. You'll be the first to encounter and solve unique challenges that arise during deployment, driving root cause analysis for any failures.
• Be the critical link between our in-plant engineering teams and the realities of a field deployment. Capture real-world learnings from customer installations and feed them back into design, manufacturing, and test to make each subsequent deployment faster and smoother.
• Execute and refine installation work instructions, checklists, and troubleshooting guides for future deployments and for our manufacturing/field teams.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure systems leaving IonQ facilities are deployment-ready and reflect the realities of customer sites.
• Act as the technical face of IonQ on site—building trust with customer engineers, facilities staff, and leadership teams.
• Document all as-built configurations, deviations, and environment-specific considerations for each installation.
• Work hands-on with our sophisticated systems, including free-space optics, high-precision lasers, advanced mechanical assemblies, cryogenic systems, and operate lifting equipment for large, heavy structures with an eye for safety.
• Facilitate and lead daily deployment standups, coordinate on-site deployment activities, report status, communicate risks and trade-offs, and escalate as needed. ● Develop and maintain tooling bills of materials (BOMs) for customer-facing system deployments. 
• Maintain tight communication loops with IonQ’s Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management teams throughout deployments.

You’d be a good fit with: 

• An ability to travel (domestically and internationally) up to 3 months at a time during deployments and 25% otherwise.