Lead Ion Trap Design Engineer

The salary range for this position is $153,003 - $200,321.

We are looking for an Ion Trap Designer. As a trap designer in the QPU Micro-architecture team, you’ll be part of a cross-functional team which architects the core of our systems and whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems.

At IonQ, our sophisticated ion traps are the hearts of our quantum computers. Designing those traps to meet the needs and requirements of our future systems is a key to our success. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated ion trap designer to join our team of quantum computing experts. As a Trap Designer, you will play a critical role in the design and development of our future ion trap quantum computing platforms. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, simulating, and optimizing the trap structure and layout. You will work closely with our fabrication, optical and integration teams to bring out the full potential of IonQ's quantum systems.

Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize ion traps to perform operations such as ion loading, transport, qubit initialization, gate operations, and readout.
• Conduct analyses, trade studies, and feasibility assessments of prospective trap designs, focusing on their viability and potential benefits.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams comprising physicists, engineers, and researchers to integrate ion trap systems into larger experimental setups or commercial products. Effectively communicate technical concepts, design rationale, and experimental results to stakeholders through reports, presentations, and documentation.
• Stay abreast of advancements in ion trap technology, quantum computing, and related fields. Evaluate emerging techniques, materials, and methodologies for potential application in ion trap design to enhance performance or enable new functionalities.

You’d be a good fit with:

• PhD in physics, electrical engineering or a related field with experience operating or supporting experimental hardware.
• Background in designing surface electrode ion traps.
• Proficiency in numerical physics simulations.

You’d be a great fit with:

• 5+ year experience with trapped ion systems, or other atomic systems.
• Strong understanding of fundamental principles governing ion trap operation, including electrostatics, quantum mechanics, and ion dynamics.
• Proficiency with scientific programming and numerical optimization.
• Familiarity with experimental techniques such as laser cooling, Doppler cooling, and detection methods employed in ion trapping experiments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Effective communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Location:

This position is located in our newest facility in Bothell, WA.