Lead Integrated Photonics Simulation and Layout Engineer

About the role

IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. The company’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, has helped customers such as AWS and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results. In 2025 IonQ set a world record with 99.99% two‑qubit gate fidelity. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ operates in multiple U.S. states and international sites. The position is based in Boston, MA with hybrid options available and requires less than 10% travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead component design and layout in support of PDK development with commercial photonic foundries, building and maintaining parameterized component cell (PCell) libraries with EPDA support, and automated layout workflows.
• Support design and layout for quantum photonic technologies, including diamond photonics, thin‑film lithium niobate, and ion trap photonics.
• Own full‑reticle tapeouts from floorplanning through GDS generation, including physical verification (DRC, LVS) and leading layout reviews.
• Partner with internal fabrication and test teams to validate PDK components against measured device performance.

Requirements

• PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing devices in diamond photonics, thin‑film lithium niobate, or ion trap photonics platforms, and proficiency with photonic simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, Tidy3D, or COMSOL).
• Extensive hands‑on experience generating layout for integrated photonic circuits, including ownership of full‑reticle tapeouts with commercial foundries.
• Deep expertise with Python‑based photonic layout tools (e.g., KLayout, gdsfactory, or Luceda IPKISS) and PDK development workflows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of collaborating effectively across design, fabrication, and test teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or supporting PDKs for commercial photonic foundries.
• Proficiency with agentic AI workflows (e.g., Claude Code) to accelerate design and layout work.
• Strong software engineering skills, including Python layout automation, version control, and physical verification (DRC, LVS, ERC).
• Familiarity with architectures for distributed quantum computing, sensing, and networking.

Pay

$145,920 - $209,241 USD (base salary range; total compensation includes base, bonus, equity, and benefits).

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Matching 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO and paid holidays
• Parental/adoption leave
• Legal insurance
• Home technology stipend