Solutions Architect - Quantum-Safe Networks

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Solutions Architect - Quantum-Safe Networks. Location: Remote, United States

Responsibilities:

• Design quantum-safe target architectures and migration paths for customer networks, including WAN and transport, data centers and campuses, segmentation and access control, key management, and network cryptography.
• Lead technical discovery sessions and architecture workshops with network, security, and infrastructure teams.
• Assess existing network architectures to identify where cryptography is embedded, vulnerable, or difficult to update.
• Develop practical migration plans that customers can execute;
• Lead the technical side of complex sales opportunities, including architecture proposals, RFI and RFP responses, security and compliance questions, competitive positioning, and technical objection handling.
• Work with Sales Engineers to design and run proofs of concept, interoperability tests, and pilots.
• Support PQC and hybrid key exchange testing in production-representative network environments.
• Support QKD-integrated network links where appropriate.
• Work with engineering teams and customers during technical testing and implementation.
• Turn customer and field experience into reusable reference architectures, migration playbooks, interoperability matrices, and design guides.
• Represent customer architectural requirements to Product and Engineering teams;
• Identify integration gaps and roadmap requirements and communicate them clearly to internal teams.
• Monitor developments in NIST PQC standards, IETF protocol work, national requirements, sector-specific mandates, and migration deadlines.
• Help keep IonQ's quantum-safe networking architectures and guidance current.
• Work with Marketing, Corporate Communications, and GTM teams to strengthen IonQ's technical presence through talks, papers, blogs, standards bodies, and industry events.
• Conduct architecture reviews, mentor team members, and promote reusable technical design patterns.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience designing and securing enterprise and/or service provider networks in solutions architecture, network architecture, security architecture, or senior customer-facing engineering roles.
• Deep hands-on knowledge of modern network infrastructure, including routing and switching, IP transport, network segmentation, firewall and access control design, VPNs, network-layer encryption, and Zero Trust principles.
• Multi-vendor networking experience, such as Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, or Nokia.
• Working knowledge of applied cryptography in network environments, including TLS, IPsec, MACsec, PKI, certificate lifecycle management, and key management.
• Understanding of how cryptographic algorithms and key material are selected and changed in real-world environments.
• Proven ability to work directly with customers at multiple levels, from network engineers to CISOs and SVPs of Infrastructure;
• Ability to lead technical workshops and architecture discussions and communicate risk, cost, and migration sequencing.
• Strong understanding of post-quantum cryptography, crypto-agility, quantum key distribution, and the challenges involved in migrating existing networks.
• Strong written communication skills, particularly for architectures, migration plans, and technical guidance.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%, primarily within the United States, with occasional international travel.

Preferred:

• Experience with post-quantum cryptography migration, including cryptographic discovery and inventory, crypto-agility architecture, hybrid key exchange, or PQC deployment in network or PKI environments.
• Hands-on experience with quantum key distribution or quantum networking, including testbeds, carrier or research trials, key delivery interfaces to encryptors, or optical and transport-layer integration;
• Experience working for a network or security vendor, service provider, hyperscaler, or large enterprise network or security organization.
• Familiarity with NIST CSF, CIS Benchmarks, ISO 27001, FISMA, FedRAMP, or sector-specific security and compliance requirements.
• Experience in public-sector, defense, financial services, or telecommunications environments.
• Contributions to technical standards or the wider technical community, including IETF, ETSI, national PQC migration groups, published technical writing, or conference presentations.
• Technical certifications such as CISSP, CCIE, JNCIE, CCNP Security, or equivalent.
• Experience with automation and tooling, including Python, configuration-as-code, or network telemetry.
• Ability to build technical demonstrations or perform analysis independently.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary range: $192,979 - $276,722 USD.
• Total compensation may include base salary, bonus, equity, and other benefits.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Matching 401(k).
• Unlimited paid time off and paid holidays.
• Parental and adoption leave.
• Legal insurance.
• Home technology stipend.
• Compensation may vary based on education, qualifications, experience, location, market data, and internal equity.
• Travel requirement of up to 30%, including domestic and occasional international travel.

Other Information:

• Work arrangement: Fully remote in the United States, with onsite or hybrid work available from IonQ offices.
• Travel: Up to 30%, domestic and international.
• Job ID: 1779.
• The position involves technology subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions.
• Candidates may need to verify U.S. Person status or obtain the required authorization or license for access to export-controlled technology and government contract work;
• IonQ conducts pre-employment background and risk screening, subject to applicable law.
• IonQ is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Candidates can create a job alert through IonQ's careers site for future opportunities.