Full-Time
Chief Architect
Optical Communication Terminals
IonQ
1,001-5,000 employees
Trapped-ion quantum computing hardware and services
Compensation Overview
$167.8k - $219.7k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Broomfield, CO, USA
Hybrid
Hybrid role; some remote days per week.
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
 Aerospace Engineering (2) |
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- 10+ years of experience designing and developing Free Space Optical (FSO) communication systems or Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs). Demonstrated experience in optical system design, modeling, and validation.
- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Practical experience with fiber optic and free-space optics laboratory setups
- Familiarity with relevant communication standards and coding techniques
- Strong understanding of wavefront errors, SNR, BER, and link budgets
- Exhibit strong analytical skills for building models and solving complex problems.
- Experience with optical simulation/modelling tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, MATLAB, Python)
- Knowledge of adaptive optics, beam steering, Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT), and pointing error impacts.
- Team player with strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Knowledge in the development of space optical instruments, especially in the field of telescopes, spectrometers, and interferometers within an industrial or scientific environment.
- Strong quantitative data analysis abilities using tools such as Matlab, Python, or equivalent.
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
- Lead engineering activities for an optical communications payload from concept through launch
- Define, analyze, and validate system and subsystem requirements for space environments
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop integrated communication solutions, focusing on system architecture, performance, and reliability.
- Derive quantified requirements for optical communication terminals using analytical techniques, numerical modeling, and bench-top testing.
- Conduct hardware/software validation of optical communication systems and subsystems
- Provide technical support for integration and troubleshooting of optical systems and develop root cause analysis for products exhibiting non-conformances in the optics subsystem.
- Analyze large amounts of laboratory data for validation and improvement purposes.
- Provide clear and rigorous presentations/reports on the subjects listed above, effectively communicating with a broad range of cross-functional teams.
- Own critical design review processes, ensuring quality, completeness, and compliance
- Lead system-level test planning, verification, and compliance analysis
- Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (RF, software, FPGA, integration, quality, operations)
- Present program updates and technical solutions to internal/external stakeholders
- Mentor and support team members within a collaborative engineering environment
- Possess excellent communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly and efficiently across a range of subject areas, engaging with management, peers, and suppliers.
- Organize and deliver assigned projects independently according to the project schedule.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm for working on multiple projects simultaneously in a self-directed manner, thriving in a fast-paced, multi-cultural startup environment.
- Space-flight industry experience
- Laser Safety knowledge
- Experience transitioning an optical product into production
- Direct experience with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) and high-speed optical communication systems, including 100 Gbps LEO optical networks.
- Spanish speaking is a plus
IonQ sells quantum computing through cloud access and on-site systems that use trapped-ion qubits. Its processors, such as Forte and Tempo, are accessed by customers via cloud platforms or deployed on customer sites, and the company is expanding into quantum networking, quantum key distribution, and sensing through acquisitions and a SkyWater Technology deal. It differentiates itself with trapped-ion technology and by building a broader quantum ecosystem through strategic acquisitions and partnerships to connect devices and services beyond hardware alone. Its goal is to scale commercial quantum computing, grow revenue, and strengthen its cash position to support ongoing expansion and ecosystem development.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
College Park, Maryland
Founded
2015
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- IonQ raised Q2 2026 revenue 287% to $80.1 million and lifted guidance.
- DARPA awarded IonQ up to $58 million on August 6, 2026.
- IonQ ended Q2 2026 with $485 million in remaining performance obligations and $3.0 billion cash.
What critics are saying
- Scott+Scott investigated IonQ in February 2026 after Wolfpack alleged misleading Pentagon-contract disclosures.
- IonQ’s $1.9 billion Q2 2026 GAAP loss exposed warrant-driven accounting volatility.
- If 256-qubit deployment slips beyond 2026, customers defer orders and backlog converts slowly.
What makes IonQ unique
- IonQ’s trapped-ion architecture delivered 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity in 2026.
- IonQ closed SkyWater on July 31, 2026, becoming vertically integrated in chips.
- IonQ combines computing, networking, sensing, and security under one full-stack platform.
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Benefits
Biweekly catered lunches
Parental leave
Health, vision, & dental insurance
Flexible time off
401(k) with 5% match
University facilities
Commuter benefits
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -5%1 year growth
↓ -8%2 year growth
↓ -10%IonQ, a quantum computing company, is developing technology toward practical applications despite current accuracy limitations. The company's systems achieve 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, the industry's best, though still below classical computer standards. IonQ is working on a fault-tolerant 10,000-qubit quantum computer, considered the minimum for mainstream viability. Its 256-qubit system is currently undergoing testing. In Q2, IonQ's revenue surged 287% year over year to $80.1 million. Acquisitions contributed to this growth, but management projects over 100% organic growth for the year, measuring only gains from existing business units. The company is collaborating with customers and partners to fund research and develop commercially viable products. IonQ stock currently trades below its all-time highs.
IonQ has secured a $28 million contract modification from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop optical atomic clocks, with an option for an additional $30 million. The Maryland-based quantum technology company will produce 25 Evergreen-05 optical atomic clocks initially, with the potential for 100 more units if the option is exercised. IonQ is investing $15 million in manufacturing infrastructure to support production. The clocks will be used for radar, secure communications, and geolocation where GPS access is compromised. The Evergreen-05 is a shoebox-sized device that accumulates less than one second of timing error over 30 million years. It delivers timing stability of 50 femtoseconds at one second in approximately 1/75th the volume of an active hydrogen maser. The technology is designed for terrestrial, sea, and airborne military platforms.
IonQ reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $80.1 million, up 287% year over year, exceeding its own expectations by 20%. The quantum computing company raised its standalone full-year revenue outlook to $280 million–$290 million whilst maintaining expectations for roughly 100% organic growth. The company recently completed a $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater Technology, adding US-based semiconductor design, fabrication and packaging capabilities. IonQ is targeting commissioning of 256-qubit systems in 2027 and developing a path toward 10,000-qubit chips. The company reported a $1.9 billion GAAP net loss, largely due to a $1.6 billion non-cash warrant valuation impact. Adjusted EBITDA was negative $120.3 million.
IonQ reported first-quarter revenue of $64.7 million for the period ended March 2026, representing a 755% year-over-year increase. The quantum computing company achieved a gross margin of 24% and completed its acquisition of SkyWater Technology whilst introducing new earth monitoring capabilities. By comparison, Advanced Micro Devices generated $10.3 billion in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, with a net income margin of 14%. The processor manufacturer entered a capacity agreement with Core Scientific and launched new processing hardware. The revenue comparison highlights the differing scales between the established artificial intelligence sector and emerging quantum computing industry. Whilst AMD demonstrates significantly larger absolute revenue figures, IonQ's triple-digit growth rate reflects the substantial expansion potential within quantum computing technology.
BigBear.ai and IonQ represent contrasting investment opportunities in the tech sector. BigBear.ai provides AI-driven decision intelligence solutions primarily to US federal agencies, focusing on logistics and cybersecurity challenges. In fiscal 2025, BigBear.ai reported revenue of $127.7 million, down 19.3% year-over-year, with a net loss of $293.9 million. The company maintains a current ratio of 1.8x and zero debt-to-equity ratio, though free cash flow was negative $42.5 million. IonQ develops trapped-ion quantum computing systems for applications in medicine, finance, and logistics, delivering services through cloud platforms including Amazon's. The company acquired SkyWater Technology in July 2026 to establish its own semiconductor foundry. Both companies face distinct challenges: BigBear.ai's heavy reliance on government contracts creates concentration risk, whilst IonQ pursues longer-term quantum computing opportunities.