Staff Quantum Physicist - System Operations

Job Description

Quantum is now, and it's built here.

Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we’re building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve. Joining means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.

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

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

What to Expect:

We are seeking a Staff Quantum Physicist to join our System Operations team in Basel as the senior technical expert for our Swiss and EMEA operations. In this high impact role, you will provide deep physics leadership on operational quantum computers, driving advanced diagnostics, resolving complex issues, and championing proactive improvements to performance, reliability, automation, and scalability. By bridging cutting edge AMO physics with real world operations, you will mentor the local team of physicists/System Operators, shape day to day success and long term evolution, and collaborate with US counterparts to ensure IonQ's trapped ion systems consistently exceed expectations.

You’ll play an important part in shaping the operating rhythm, reporting, and cross-functional coordination required to deliver a successful customer experience in a high-ambiguity, highly technical environment.

What You'll be Doing:

This role provides senior technical leadership for System Operations in the Basel and wider EMEA hub, with scope to support emerging APAC operations as the footprint grows. The focus is on diagnosing and resolving complex issues across commercial quantum computers, improving system stability and performance, and acting as a key bridge between local physicists and US-based teams. Alongside hands-on troubleshooting and deep technical analysis, the role plays an important part in commissioning new platforms, feeding operational insights back into engineering, and raising the capability of the wider System Operations team through mentoring, tooling, and structured knowledge sharing.

• Lead deep diagnostics, root-cause analysis, and troubleshooting across operational quantum systems, while supporting validation, commissioning, and hand-off of new platforms into production.
• Analyse telemetry and operational data to identify performance bottlenecks, using signal processing and physics-based insight to drive improvements in fidelity, stability, uptime, and long-term reliability.
• Partner cross-functionally with engineering, software, applications, and US-based teams to influence change processes and ensure operational learning informs future system design.
• Mentor and develop the local team of physicists, while contributing to maintenance planning, upgrade strategy, capacity planning, and broader operational excellence.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will bring deep AMO physics expertise, backed by a PhD in Physics and significant experience working with complex experimental systems in real-world environments. This person should be highly capable in building, operating, and troubleshooting advanced quantum hardware, with particular strength in areas such as optical alignment, laser stabilisation, electronics, and opto-mechanical systems. Just as importantly, they should be able to apply rigorous physics thinking to practical operational challenges, mentor more junior physicists, and work effectively across engineering, software, and operations teams to solve difficult interdisciplinary problems.

You’d be a great fit with:

• PhD in Physics with strong AMO depth, alongside substantial professional experience and a proven track record of integrating, validating, and operating sophisticated quantum hardware systems.
• Hands-on expertise in complex experimental setups, particularly across optical alignment, laser stabilisation, electronics, opto-mechanical systems, and physics-led troubleshooting in live environments.
• Strong technical and interpersonal capability, including Python for analysis and automation, clear cross-functional communication, and prior experience mentoring or leading junior physicists.
• Particularly attractive backgrounds include high-uptime production systems, ion traps, UHV or cryogenic environments, research-to-production transitions, and experience applying data science, machine learning, or precision electronics to hardware optimisation.

Benefits

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.