Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations / Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s latest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, represent cutting-edge systems that have been empowering customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA to achieve 20x performance improvements. The company set a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025 with an impressive 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity.

IonQ is accelerating its technology roadmap with a goal of providing the world’s most powerful quantum computers featuring 2 million qubits by 2030. These advancements are set to drive innovation across various sectors including drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. Additionally, IonQ is at the forefront of developing quantum networking, positioning the company as a leader in the establishment of a quantum internet.

Job Opportunity: Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations

We are seeking a Physicist - Resilience Engineering and Operations to join our team working with state-of-the-art quantum computers based on trapped ion technology. You will be an integral part of a cross-functional team dedicated to operating and enhancing IonQ’s leading quantum systems. In the initial three months of your employment, you will learn how to maintain the hardware and software of our quantum computers. Recent graduates in physics and related fields are encouraged to apply, as we will provide training in quantum computer maintenance and operation. This position is based onsite at our facility in Quantum Basel, with the flexibility to work remotely several days a week at your discretion.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high uptime and performance of our commercial quantum computers through maintenance, monitoring, and engineering.
• Enhance customer experience continuously and diligently.
• Automate capabilities to optimize system performance.
• Collaborate with physicists and engineers to develop tools and technologies that enhance the performance of current and future commercial systems.
• Participate in follow-the-sun on-call rotations to maintain peak system performance.

Qualifications

You would be a strong candidate if you possess:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physics, engineering, or another physical science.
• A desire and ability to collaborate closely with a distributed team—excellent communication skills are essential.
• Hands-on experience with optical alignments, laser stabilization, and/or Acousto-Optic Modulators (AOMs).
• A keen interest in learning and a fascination with emerging technologies.
• Formal training or education in statistics.
• The flexibility to adapt in an ever-evolving work environment.
• A willingness to work flexible hours, including participating in a 24/7 on-call shift with variable rotations.
• At least 1 year of laboratory experience in atomic and/or optical physics.

Additionally, you would be an excellent fit if you have:

• A PhD in physics, engineering, or another physical science.
• Extensive experience with Javascript or Python.
• A background in data analysis, data science, or machine learning.
• Experience in software engineering.

We encourage you to apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Location

This role is based onsite at our facility in Basel, Switzerland. However, there is an option to work remotely a few days a week.

Travel

Travel is expected to be less than 10%.