Staff Engineer - IT
IonQ
IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution.
This role necessitates hands-on engagement, exceptional communication, and strong leadership to effectively collaborate with stakeholders across various departments and levels of the organization. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff IT Engineer with a strong background in both systems and network architecture to join our dynamic and growing global team. This role will play a critical part in shaping our IT systems and infrastructure, leading technical projects, and supporting our strategic Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who can not only design robust and scalable solutions but also lead their implementation from concept to completion. You will be a key contributor to our technical strategy, ensuring our IT infrastructure is secure, efficient, and aligned with our business objectives. You’re equally at home leading large projects, like acquisition integration, and everyday IT tasks.
Responsibilities:
- Technical Project Leadership & Execution:
- Lead the planning, design, and execution of significant IT systems and infrastructure projects, acting as both project manager and lead engineer
- Define project scope, objectives, timelines, and resource requirements
- Perform hands-on engineering work, including configuration, deployment, troubleshooting, and optimization of IT systems and networks
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery
- M&A Due Diligence & Integration:
- Travel to M&A target sites to conduct comprehensive IT systems and infrastructure evaluations, including network topology, server environments, data centers, applications, and security posture
- Identify potential integration challenges, risks, and opportunities during the M&A lifecycle
- Develop and execute integration plans for acquired IT systems and networks, ensuring seamless transitions and minimal disruption
- Systems & Network Architecture: Design, implement, and maintain complex IT systems and network infrastructure solutions. This includes servers, virtualization, storage, cloud platforms, network devices (routers, switches, firewalls), and related services for M&A for IonQ
- Global Infrastructure Support: Provide advanced technical support and expertise for our global IT team via Slack or in person, resolving complex issues and implementing proactive solutions
- Documentation & Standards: Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for IT systems, networks, M&A activities and operational procedures. Contribute to the development and enforcement of IT standards and best practices
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Stay aware of emerging technologies and industry trends, evaluating their potential impact and recommending innovative solutions to enhance our IT capabilities
- Vendor Management: Collaborate with IT vendors and service providers, managing relationships and ensuring the effective delivery of services and solutions
- General IT: Manage helpdesk escalations and define support processes and procedures
You’d be a good fit with:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- 8+ years of progressive experience in IT engineering, with a strong emphasis on both systems engineering and network architecture
- Proficiency in a programming or scripting language such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash
- Proven experience leading technical projects from initiation to closure, including project management responsibilities
- Demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and managing complex network infrastructure
- Deep understanding and hands-on experience with server operating systems (Windows Server, Linux), virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V), and storage solutions (SAN, NAS)
- Expertise in Identity Provider Software such as Okta, Entra ID, or JumpCloud, as well as an understanding of SAML/SCIM and SaaS provisioning automation
- Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 administration experience
- MDM administration experience on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders
You’d be a great fit with:
- 15+ years of experience in IT engineering
- Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, VCP)
- Familiarity with enterprise-grade networking hardware
- Experience with IT due diligence and integration processes in an M&A context
- Experience with hyperscalar cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP)
- Experience in a small startup growing fast into a large, global enterprise environment
- Experience with IT service management (ITSM) tools and processes
- Familiarity with IT security best practices and compliance frameworks
- Familiarity with physical security, voice/video communications, and power infrastructure
Location: This role can be based at our office in Bothell, WA or College Park, MD.
Travel: ~1 week per month at domestic and international sites
Job ID: 1114
The approximate base salary range for this position is $128,119 - $167,740. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.
Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our US benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance!
IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!