Senior Field Engineer - Italy at IonQ

About IonQ:

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.

Location: Remote in Italy
Travel: up to 40%
Job ID:

The Role:

We are looking for a Senior Quantum Field Engineer. As a Senior Quantum Field Engineer, you’ll be part of a team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum solutions and solve the world’s most complex problems. Field Engineering sits at the intersection of customers, markets, products and product teams, algorithms, applications, innovation and strategy - this is the team where ideas become applied and have impact.

Join a nimble team of scientists, engineers, salespeople, marketers, business developers, and product managers to drive an entirely new quantum computing business. We’re seeking versatile engineers and architects skilled in technical sales, technical demos and customer interactions who feel energized to deliver IonQ’s quantum computing products and quantum applications.

Responsibilities:

Inspire prospective clients by explaining IonQ’s strategy, portfolio and answering technical questions about quantum portfolio (compute, network, security, sensing and space) and quantum applications.
Lead client discussions, inspiring them to see how quantum applications can be implemented in their business domain.

This includes working through business needs and mapping Quantum Algorithms (e.g. QAOA, HHL, Grover’s, QFT, VQE) into application code and executing Proof-of-Concepts together with the IonQ Application Engineering team.

Share insights from clients with the IonQ Product Management and Engineering teams such that client feedback is incorporated into our products.
Navigate competitive objection handling
Translate business needs expressed by our clients into technical proposals in collaboration with other team members.
Create sales assets such as slides to explain features of our quantum applications and other IonQ quantum products.
Assist sales team with driving prospects down the sales funnel.
Assist with developing a pipeline of opportunities for IonQ’s quantum solutions (across compute, networking, security, sensing and other domains) and quantum applications.
Lead client workshops to inspire quantum computing engagements and new quantum use case ideas.
Partner with marketing, developer relations and business development to grow the IonQ footprint.
Attend industry conferences, as needed, to talk to client and support our booth activities.
Some travel expected (20%) but opportunities for global travel are available as well for client meeting and IonQ conference activities.
This is a technical sales role with the appropriate balance of compensation acceleration for success and a base salary to ensure that credibility and technical correctness always comes first.

Requirements:

10 years of experience leading applied technology initiatives and innovation. The ability to communicate (at the various context-appropriate levels of depth) and persuade clearly, have strong EQ, and other customer facings skills are critical.
Bachelor’s degree or above in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or other STEM field, such as Chemistry, Physics or Engineering
Motivated learner with a strong passion for applied Quantum Mechanics (computing, network, security, sensing and other domains).

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters or PhD in a STEM field, perhaps adjacent to quantum computing. This can enable quicker client trust and confidence.
5+ years of experience in technical sales or equivalent capacity. This isn’t a pre-requisite, but helps in transitioning to customer-facing roles.
Hands-on experience with Qiskit, Cirq or other quantum computing SDKs
Proficient in Python and Jupyter Notebooks.
Expert architecture skills across various technologies (“full stack skills”)
Experience leading technical events

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

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!