IonQ
Staff Test Engineer - Integrated Photonics
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 such as medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more.
We are looking for a Senior Staff Test Engineer in the Integrated Photonics team. In this role, you will focus primarily on designing and building the testing infrastructure needed to characterize the photonic integrated circuit (PIC). This includes wafer‑level testers as well as automated testing systems for characterizing passive PIC components, micro‑optics, and metalenses, which will be implemented in trapped‑ion quantum computer systems. You will also have the opportunity to work with atomic physicists to innovate the trapped‑ion quantum computer utilizing integrated photonics. The PIC‑based devices you characterize will help drive the overall development of a new and game‑changing photonics technology to enable scalable quantum computing.
Responsibilities
Design, build, upgrade, and maintain the PIC testing infrastructure for characterizing passive components, on‑chip detectors, micro‑optics, and metalenses at both chip and wafer level, for integration into trapped‑ion quantum computing systems
Identify, procure, and install equipment and coordinate with facilities and other IonQ teams to facilitate the development of the PIC testing infrastructure
Develop testing procedures for component‑level characterization, with an emphasis on creating and maintaining underlying drivers and core function scripts to build a robust foundation to allow for flexible, short ramp‑up, experiment development
Train other team members on the testing procedures and ensure team adherence to best practices for code repository maintenance and for summarizing the testing results
Improve the testing data pipeline by incorporating and extracting layout information to allow for more efficient test definition as well as streamlining the analysis and data storage to ensure smooth accessibility to allow for comparison of measurement results with simulation and between various platforms
Characterize passive components, micro‑optics, and metalenses to feed back the experimental data to design engineers to improve the component performance across multiple wavelengths and temperatures
Collaborate closely with other areas of the PIC team (design, packaging, architecture, foundry) to ensure testing priorities align with the PIC team roadmap and to ensure the results are summarized and communicated in a manner that facilitates design downselection and actionable decisions
Qualifications
Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering or related field/discipline
7+ years of industry experience
6+ years of experience in the hands‑on characterization of passive PIC components, micro‑optics, and/or metalenses
5+ years of programming experience in a general‑purpose programming language (like Python, Matlab, etc.)
Experience with bringing up and maintaining multiple optical test labs, including wafer‑level testers
Experience with test equipment driver development and with building and maintaining a testing code repository for automating test measurements
Strong data processing, visualization, and organizational skills, and related experience with software use (e.g. JMP)
Familiarity with free‑space optics and imaging systems
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years of PIC design and characterization experience of passive PIC components, micro‑optics, and/or metalenses
Experience with bringing up and maintaining a wafer‑level test setup for optical measurements
Experience working with visible‑light laser sources and fiber components
Strong programming skills for data analysis and experimental automation software, and experience with version control systems such as git
Experience using 3D CAD tools like Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks
Familiarity with fabrication processes and design constraints for PICs
Experience with design, simulation, and layout of PIC components
Strong understanding of free‑space optics and imaging systems
Location: This role is based onsite at our headquarters in College Park, MD.
Travel: Up to 10%.
Job ID: 1163
The approximate base salary range for this position is $123,191 – $161,289. Total compensation includes base, bonus, and equity. Compensation will vary based on location, knowledge, and experience. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), unlimited PTO, parental leave, legal insurance, home internet stipend, and pet insurance.
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:
This position requires access to technology subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on verifying U.S. Person status (e.g., citizen, national, permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylum) for export controls and government contracts. If you are not a U.S. Person, IonQ may decline to apply for a license or use a license exception, and you may not qualify for government contracts work. We will review your immigration status for compliance with federal law.
US Non‑Technical Jobs:
Due to export control laws, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylum. Additional immigration status questions will be reviewed for compliance with federal law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We are looking for a Senior Staff Test Engineer in the Integrated Photonics team. In this role, you will focus primarily on designing and building the testing infrastructure needed to characterize the photonic integrated circuit (PIC). This includes wafer‑level testers as well as automated testing systems for characterizing passive PIC components, micro‑optics, and metalenses, which will be implemented in trapped‑ion quantum computer systems. You will also have the opportunity to work with atomic physicists to innovate the trapped‑ion quantum computer utilizing integrated photonics. The PIC‑based devices you characterize will help drive the overall development of a new and game‑changing photonics technology to enable scalable quantum computing.
Responsibilities
Design, build, upgrade, and maintain the PIC testing infrastructure for characterizing passive components, on‑chip detectors, micro‑optics, and metalenses at both chip and wafer level, for integration into trapped‑ion quantum computing systems
Identify, procure, and install equipment and coordinate with facilities and other IonQ teams to facilitate the development of the PIC testing infrastructure
Develop testing procedures for component‑level characterization, with an emphasis on creating and maintaining underlying drivers and core function scripts to build a robust foundation to allow for flexible, short ramp‑up, experiment development
Train other team members on the testing procedures and ensure team adherence to best practices for code repository maintenance and for summarizing the testing results
Improve the testing data pipeline by incorporating and extracting layout information to allow for more efficient test definition as well as streamlining the analysis and data storage to ensure smooth accessibility to allow for comparison of measurement results with simulation and between various platforms
Characterize passive components, micro‑optics, and metalenses to feed back the experimental data to design engineers to improve the component performance across multiple wavelengths and temperatures
Collaborate closely with other areas of the PIC team (design, packaging, architecture, foundry) to ensure testing priorities align with the PIC team roadmap and to ensure the results are summarized and communicated in a manner that facilitates design downselection and actionable decisions
Qualifications
Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering or related field/discipline
7+ years of industry experience
6+ years of experience in the hands‑on characterization of passive PIC components, micro‑optics, and/or metalenses
5+ years of programming experience in a general‑purpose programming language (like Python, Matlab, etc.)
Experience with bringing up and maintaining multiple optical test labs, including wafer‑level testers
Experience with test equipment driver development and with building and maintaining a testing code repository for automating test measurements
Strong data processing, visualization, and organizational skills, and related experience with software use (e.g. JMP)
Familiarity with free‑space optics and imaging systems
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years of PIC design and characterization experience of passive PIC components, micro‑optics, and/or metalenses
Experience with bringing up and maintaining a wafer‑level test setup for optical measurements
Experience working with visible‑light laser sources and fiber components
Strong programming skills for data analysis and experimental automation software, and experience with version control systems such as git
Experience using 3D CAD tools like Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks
Familiarity with fabrication processes and design constraints for PICs
Experience with design, simulation, and layout of PIC components
Strong understanding of free‑space optics and imaging systems
Location: This role is based onsite at our headquarters in College Park, MD.
Travel: Up to 10%.
Job ID: 1163
The approximate base salary range for this position is $123,191 – $161,289. Total compensation includes base, bonus, and equity. Compensation will vary based on location, knowledge, and experience. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), unlimited PTO, parental leave, legal insurance, home internet stipend, and pet insurance.
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:
This position requires access to technology subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on verifying U.S. Person status (e.g., citizen, national, permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylum) for export controls and government contracts. If you are not a U.S. Person, IonQ may decline to apply for a license or use a license exception, and you may not qualify for government contracts work. We will review your immigration status for compliance with federal law.
US Non‑Technical Jobs:
Due to export control laws, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylum. Additional immigration status questions will be reviewed for compliance with federal law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr