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Senior Software Engineer (Backend), Cloud Platform

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution. 

We don’t just build the world’s best quantum computers–we want them to be usable by everyone, everywhere. We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join a cross-functional team building the IonQ Cloud Platform, which connects our customers to our quantum computers via APIs, tools, and partner clouds like AWS, GCP, and Azure. You’ll help build key components of the platform in collaboration with our product team, applications team, systems team, and scientists to build the best quantum developer experience for our customers and partners.

Responsibilities:

  • Reporting to Sr Manager of Cloud Engineering, as a Senior Software Engineer you will work closely with Infrastructure Engineering, Application Development and Operations teams to provide highly available and fault tolerant cloud services
  • In collaboration with the Product team and other engineers, design, build, validate, and deploy APIs and capabilities to make quantum computing accessible and useful to novices and experts alike
  • Build, extend and maintain our cloud platform
  • Participate in on-call rotations

You’d be a good fit with: 

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field, or equivalent training, fellowship, or work experience
  • 5+ years professional experience in software engineering, working in a team environment
  • Strong experience with large-scale cloud service platforms, and the design of scalable and robust services in the real world
  • Experience programming in Python is a must
  • Multiple programming languages like Python, Go, or JavaScript is essential
  • Experience in building SDKs, libraries and DX (Developer Experience)
  • Experience working in a cloud native environment (AWS/GCP/Azure, K8s/serverless)
  • Strong written and oral communication, excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills

You’d be a great fit with:

  • 7+ years of professional software experience
  • 3+ years working with kubernetes
  • 3+ years working with SQL databases
  • OAuth, OpenID, SAML based authentication experience
  • Prior experience developing on Google Cloud Platform

Location: This role can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices located in Bothell, WA, or College Park, MD, or can be remote for the right candidate.
Travel: Less than 10%

The approximate base salary range for this position is $141,670 - $185,482.

Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance!


IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, a quick 15-minute metro from Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, or Toronto. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
 
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.

The position you are applying for may 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 status for export controls and government contracts work and/or obtaining any necessary license/confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls.  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!


 

Average salary estimate

$163576 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$141670K
$185482K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Senior Software Engineer (Backend), Cloud Platform, IonQ

IonQ is on the cutting edge of technology with its Senior Software Engineer (Backend) position for the Cloud Platform. If you're eager to dive into the fascinating realm of quantum computing, this remote role could be your next big adventure! In this position, you'll join a dynamic team dedicated to bringing the power of our quantum computers to life through robust APIs and tools. Collaborate with product teams, application developers, and scientists to ensure that our offerings are straightforward and beneficial for both novice and expert users alike. Your primary responsibilities will include designing, building, validating, and deploying scalable cloud services that are highly available and fault-tolerant. With your experience in programming—particularly in Python and other languages like Go or JavaScript—you'll extend our cloud platform and create exceptional developer experiences. At IonQ, your contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of computing, making huge strides in various fields like AI, finance, and more. And with attractive benefits such as unlimited PTO, comprehensive health plans, and equity options, you’ll find that we value our team as much as they value our mission!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Software Engineer (Backend), Cloud Platform Role at IonQ
What responsibilities does a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) at IonQ have?

As a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) at IonQ, you will work closely with various teams including Infrastructure Engineering and Application Development to create highly available cloud services. Your role will involve designing, building, and deploying APIs while introducing innovative capabilities that make quantum computing accessible to all levels of users. Additionally, you will participate in on-call rotations ensuring the platform's reliability.

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What qualifications are needed for the Senior Software Engineer (Backend) position at IonQ?

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer (Backend) role at IonQ, candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience. Furthermore, a strong background of 5+ years in software engineering is required, alongside hands-on experience with cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure, and programming in Python. Benefits such as experience with Kubernetes and SQL databases will enhance your application.

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What programming languages should a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) at IonQ be familiar with?

Candidates for the Senior Software Engineer (Backend) position at IonQ are expected to have strong programming skills in Python. Familiarity with additional languages such as Go or JavaScript is also beneficial, especially when developing SDKs and libraries that enhance the developer experience on our cloud platform.

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What kind of work environment can a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) at IonQ expect?

IonQ offers a flexible work environment for the Senior Software Engineer (Backend), allowing for remote work options while maintaining a supportive team atmosphere. You’ll collaborate across various branches of the company from home or hybrid setups, ensuring that you can contribute effectively to the advancement of quantum computing.

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What benefits do Senior Software Engineers (Backend) at IonQ receive?

At IonQ, Senior Software Engineers (Backend) enjoy comprehensive benefits including unlimited PTO, matching 401K, and competitive health insurance plans. Additionally, you’ll gain opportunities for equity sharing in the company, fostering a culture of mutual growth and investment in both your career and the mission of quantum computing.

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Common Interview Questions for Senior Software Engineer (Backend), Cloud Platform
What is your experience with cloud platforms relevant to the Senior Software Engineer (Backend) position at IonQ?

In answering this question, highlight specific projects you've worked on that involved cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure. Discuss your contributions to building scalable solutions and any specialized tools or services you developed, showcasing your hands-on experience and understanding of cloud-native environments.

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How do you ensure the reliability and fault tolerance of cloud services?

Here, focus on strategies you’ve implemented in past roles to ensure high availability and resilience. This could include discussing architecture design principles, disaster recovery processes, and continuous monitoring solutions that you leveraged to maintain service uptime, showcasing your technical skill set.

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Can you discuss a time when you contributed to enhancing developer experience on a platform?

Share specific examples where you developed or improved developer tools, SDKs, or documentation that made it easier for users to interact with cloud services. Explain your approach, the challenges you faced, and how resulting feedback informed your iterative improvements.

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What programming languages do you consider your strongest, and how do they relate to the role at IonQ?

Mention Python as your primary language and detail experiences where you've used it to build scalable applications or services. Include additional languages like Go or JavaScript, focusing on how you've applied them to meet project needs and enhance functionality.

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How familiar are you with Kubernetes, and how have you applied it in past projects?

Discuss your experience specific to Kubernetes in this response. Highlight any projects where you set up Kubernetes environments, managed deployments, or utilized orchestration features to scale services. This shows evaluators your technical prowess and practical experience.

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What role do you think APIs play in cloud platforms, particularly in quantum computing?

Emphasize the importance of APIs as the backbone of cloud frameworks that connect users with complex functionalities, especially in innovative fields like quantum computing. Discuss how well-designed APIs can improve accessibility and user experience, making complex technologies easier to leverage.

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Describe your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Reflect on your communication and collaboration strategies. Detail how you engage with product managers, scientists, and other engineers, ensuring everyone is aligned with project goals and timelines, which is crucial for successful outcomes in multi-disciplinary environments like IonQ.

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What strategies do you use to stay current with advancements in cloud technology?

Talk about the resources you utilize such as online courses, webinars, tech blogs, or community forums. Describe any recent technologies you've learned that are relevant to the role at IonQ, showcasing your commitment to ongoing professional development in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

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Can you explain the concept of OAuth and its significance in cloud-based applications?

Provide an overview of OAuth, addressing its role in securing resources by providing a method for delegated access. Illustrate with examples from your experience how implementing OAuth authentication has improved security in applications you have worked on.

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What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing quantum computing today?

Use this opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry. Discuss widely recognized challenges such as error correction, hardware scalability, or access to quantum resources for developers, and frame it within your perspective on how IonQ can tackle these hurdles through innovative solutions.

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IonQ develops general-purpose quantum computers. Founded in 2015, IonQ is headquartered in College Park, Maryland.

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March 25, 2025

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