Principal Researcher, Quantum Error Correction

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

IonQ

Compensation

$187,358 - $245,300/year

Remote, US

Hybrid

Posted March 19, 2026

Job Description

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 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.

We are looking for QEC Principle researcher. As a QEC researcher, you’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems.

In this role, you will contribute to the design of IonQ fault-tolerant quantum computer by conducting research in quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing. You will lead research and development of quantum error correction codes, decoders or logical operations which are at the core of our large-scale quantum computing architecture. You will design new error correction schemes and large scale architectures.

Responsibilities:

Contribute to the design of core components of our fault-tolerant quantum computer architecture such as quantum error correction protocols, logical operations or decoders.
Contribute to the development of the simulation tools of the quantum error correction team.
Contribute to research papers.
Collaborate with team members with different areas of expertise and experiences.

You’d be a good fit with:

15 years of research experience
PhD in quantum computing in math / physics/ CS or related field.
Strong expertise with QEC simulation, physics simulation, Stim, Monte-Carlo simulations.

You’d be a great fit with:

Strong publications and conference talks in quantum error correction.
Delivered quantum error correction, logical operations and decoders.
Solid mathematical background in linear algebra, finite fields, probability theory, graph theory and standard techniques used in quantum computing
Strong expertise with QEC simulation, physics simulation, Stim, Monte-Carlo simulations
Ability to communicate from community to business to PhD level

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD, Bothell, WA) or fully remote in the US.
Travel: Up to 15% as needed
Job ID: 1190

The approximate base salary range for this position is $187,358 - $245,300. 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.

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Sea

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