Senior Systems Architect

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Systems Architect. Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom - College Park, Maryland, United States

The company focuses on creating powerful, accurate, and reliable quantum systems that solve problems beyond classical supercomputers. This role is central to shaping the architecture of future quantum hardware platforms.

Responsibilities:

System Architecture Leadership

• Architect next generation trapped ion quantum computers based on electronic qubit control technology
• Define system level requirements, interfaces, and integration assumptions across the full quantum stack
• Ensure system design remains coherent, scalable, and aligned with practical engineering constraints;

Technical Strategy and Decision Making

• Translate high level system goals into clear engineering specifications and structured work packages
• Make and document trade off decisions between performance, reliability, and scalability
• Support architectural decisions with technical feasibility analysis and evidence

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with electronics, controls and software, and experimental hardware teams
• Partner with science and engineering teams during design, manufacturing, operation, and system characterization
• Update architectural plans based on experimental data and real world system feedback;

Communication and Documentation

• Clearly communicate complex system trade offs to technical audiences
• Enable alignment across teams for efficient and scalable execution

Qualifications:

• PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Minimum 3 years of academic or industry experience in quantum computing;
• Strong understanding of the full quantum stack with deep knowledge of quantum hardware operation
• Hands on experience in design, operation, or experimental characterization of quantum hardware
• Strong analytical and scientific computing skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred:

• Experience working in rapid hardware development environments
• Experience supporting architectural decisions with structured data analysis
• Demonstrated ability to operate across multiple engineering and scientific disciplines

Benefits and Compensation:

• Competitive salary
• IonQ stock options
• Annual performance bonus
• Generous annual leave
• Flexible hybrid working model;
• Private medical and dental insurance for employee and family
• Career development opportunities alongside industry leaders
• Inclusive and equal opportunity workplace