Simulation Physicist - Ion Transport and Waveform Design

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 Simulation Physicist to join our Ion Transport and Waveform Design team. As a simulation physicist, 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. 

In this role, you will study the physics of ion transport through numerical simulation. You will collaborate with experimental teams to validate simulation results and physics understanding, commercial teams to design transport waveforms used in our quantum computers, and quantum architects to inform the design of next-generation ion traps.

• →Create, update, and maintain numerical simulation tools for ion transport in RF Paul traps.
• →Validate simulation results in collaboration with experimental teams.
• →Develop novel control schemes for fast, robust, and low-excitation ion transport.
• →Deliver control voltage waveforms that implement the required operations for a trapped-ion quantum computer.
• →Work with trap designers to incorporate novel transport techniques into future systems.

• PhD in atomic physics, quantum information, or a related field.
• Experience in numerical simulation and optimization to inform experimental design.
• Strong proficiency in programming and data analysis.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

• Experience with transport or waveform design in surface-electrode RF Paul traps.
• Experience using a compiled programming language (Rust, C, C++, etc.) for scientific computing.

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