Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms

Job Description

Job Title: Staff Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms. Location: Bothell, Washington, USA; College Park, Maryland, USA; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden; Remote (United States)

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of novel fault-tolerant quantum algorithms capable of delivering scientific and commercial impact across multiple industries.
• Design and optimize algorithms for fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) on IonQ's trapped-ion quantum computers.
• Perform detailed resource estimation and analysis for quantum algorithms, comparing FTQC approaches with NISQ and classical computing methods.
• Evaluate algorithm scalability, performance trade-offs, crossover points, and computational costs;
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise on fault-tolerant quantum algorithms across the organization.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, marketing, sales, operations, and external partners to identify and solve complex real-world problems.
• Develop industry-leading benchmarking methodologies, resource estimation tools, and performance metrics.
• Build end-to-end quantum workflows and computational resource models for future quantum applications.
• Contribute to the company's intellectual property portfolio through patents, publications, and innovative research;
• Represent IonQ at customer meetings, industry conferences, technical workshops, and scientific events.
• Drive long-term technical roadmaps for next-generation quantum applications and fault-tolerant computing technologies.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience with at least 3 years of professional experience in quantum computing.
• Demonstrated expertise in fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) algorithms capable of scaling to millions of qubits and billions of quantum gates.
• Strong knowledge of mathematical methods used in quantum algorithm development;
• Proven experience communicating complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Active participation in the fault-tolerant quantum computing community through publications, open-source tools, standards, patents, or conference presentations.
• Strong commitment to optimizing algorithm performance, accuracy, and computational efficiency.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of professional experience developing end-to-end quantum solutions for industries such as engineering, cybersecurity, chemistry, finance, or related fields.
• Experience with advanced quantum simulation techniques including product formulas, qubitization, qDRIFT, block encodings, LCU, QSP, QSVT, Gibbs sampling, quantum linear systems, or similar methods;
• Strong experience with Python and Qiskit or comparable quantum software development kits.
• Working knowledge of C++.
• Experience commercializing hybrid computing solutions involving CPU, GPU, and QPU architectures.
• Familiarity with cloud computing, edge computing, and CI/CD workflows.
• Experience leading government, defense, or commercial consulting projects is a plus.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary: $167,808 to $219,704 per year.
• Total compensation package includes:
  • Performance bonus
  • Equity awards
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• Paid company holidays.
• Parental and adoption leave.
• Legal insurance.
• Home technology stipend.
• Flexible work options, including onsite, hybrid, and remote opportunities (U.S. locations).