Principal Application Scientist

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.  

We are looking for a Principal Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms to lead the technical development in utilizing IonQ’s quantum computers to create highly differentiated quantum solutions that will bring value to society. As a Principal Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms, you’ll be be a visionary and pace-setter for a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on a multi-generational journey to solve the world’s most complex problems using the world’s best quantum computers built at IonQ. 

As a world-renowned leader on fault-tolerant algorithms, you will help discover the next generation of quantum applications that are poised to deliver results exceeding state-of-the-art classical methods. You will play a key role in developing core IP, computational resource models, long-term roadmaps and end-to-end workflows that have the potential to disrupt the field of computing. You will also work closely with product, engineering, marketing, sales, operations, and external customers/partners to brainstorm new ideas, propose complex, multi-year initiatives and represent IonQ at high-visibility technical conferences (often all in a single day)!

• →Lead the conception, implementation and optimization of fault-tolerant quantum algorithms that will make a large scientific and commercial impact across a wide range of industry verticals
• →Drive multi-disciplinary teams to identify, define and solve challenging problems using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers. Inspire and influence IonQ stakeholders as well as external luminaries in academia / industry / government to contribute to moonshot collaborations.  
• →Be a go-to expert to do SWOT analyses of FTQC algorithms, especially as they compare to NISQ algorithms and classical HPC algorithms. Communicate the current state-of-the-art, competitive landscape, scaling behaviors, trade offs, cross-over points using language that is appropriate for technical, business and general audiences.
• →Develop a portfolio of foundational IP, commercially relevant applications and high-impact-factor peer-reviewed publications. Contribute toward IonQ’s technical roadmap and share externally with academics, customers, press, investors, etc.

• PhD in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics or another STEM domain, or equivalent work experience 
• Professional work experience in the quantum computing field solving the toughest challenges for society
• World-class expertise in FTQC algorithms that can scale to millions of qubits, billions of gates with line-of-sight to end-customer value. Current portfolio of invited talks, repos, licenses, publications and/or patents
• Renowned contributor within the FTQC algorithm community including the development of tools (libraries, simulators, compiler), metrics (costing, resource estimation, ROI) and ecosystem (economic development, standards)
• Relentless dedication to optimizing quantum algorithms (accuracy, time-to-solution) through first-principles/elegant theoretical equations as well as engineering optimization; documented performance gains
• Mastery of key mathematical techniques used in quantum computing. Ability to communicate complex concepts to audiences ranging from domain experts to investors to the general public
• Ability to deliver excellence across all scales: technical leader, team player and IC

• 10+ years of professional work experience developing FT quantum algorithms that align with realistic industry problems such as computer-aided engineering, phase transitions, reaction modeling, etc.
• Ability to supervise and review codes in Python and Qiskit or similar quantum SDKs; working knowledge of C++. Ability to bring the best out of team members working in a customer-focused, rapidly changing environment
• Experience proposing, winning, and executing on consultative (paid) contracts; government contracting or defense contracting experience a plus
• Experience commercializing end-to-end software utilizing hybrid computing e.g. CPU + GPU + QPU, Edge, Cloud, etc. Knowledge of CI/CD a plus.

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