IonQ

Senior Rust Software Engineer

IonQ$142K — $186K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • 6+ years of software engineering experience, particularly in embedded or hardware-adjacent environments.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible refugee/asylee due to export control laws.
  • Hands-on experience in laboratory settings with physical hardware and complex test setups.
  • Strong communication skills capable of bridging discussions across hardware and software engineering.
  • Preference for a solid background in C/C++ and Python for scientific applications.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of high-performance, production-quality software architectures in Rust.
  • Architect and verify system controllers on ARM SoCs, including user-space drivers for complex peripherals.
  • Implement and optimize critical control algorithms for quantum sensing instruments.
  • Collaborate with hardware teams for board testing, hardware bring-up, and error-handling systems.
  • Develop core software libraries for next-generation quantum control and automation systems.
  • Mentor junior engineers and lead process improvements through code reviews and retrospectives.

Benefits

  • Platinum-level family health coverage including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care.
  • Employer contributions to 401(k).
  • 20 days of paid time off plus 11 paid holidays.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • Fully stocked kitchen available for employees.
Full Job Description
Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA.
Travel: Up to 5%, domestic or international.Job ID: 1687

The Role:

Vector Atomic is building next-generation quantum devices designed for real-world applications, including GPS-free navigation, high-precision timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. As a Senior Rust Software Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader within a rapidly growing, collaborative team of over 50 professionals delivering practical, transformational quantum technologies. In this high-impact role, you will architect and write production-quality Rust code, driving the software strategy for our advanced quantum instruments. You will collaborate deeply across disciplines with physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware engineers, taking ownership of system controllers, data acquisition pipelines, and critical control algorithms on ARM SoCs from concept to deployment.

Responsibilities:
  • Technical Leadership & Architecture: Lead the design and development of reliable, high-performance, production-quality software architectures in Rust.
  • System Control & Drivers: Architect and verify system controllers on ARM SoCs, designing robust user-space drivers for complex peripherals (including mixed-signal devices) and low-latency data acquisition pipelines.
  • Advanced Algorithm Implementation: Implement and optimize critical control loops and precision algorithms essential to the stability and operation of quantum sensing instruments.
  • Hardware Integration & Bring-up: Partner closely with hardware teams to lead board testing, hardware bring-up, and the implementation of fault-tolerant error-handling systems.
  • Quantum Software Infrastructure: Oversee the development and scaling of core software libraries used for the control and automation of next-generation quantum systems.
  • Mentorship & Process Improvement: Champion continuous improvement within the development process-leading technical code reviews, project retrospectives, and mentoring junior engineers.

Requirements:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with 6+ years of professional software engineering experience (with a proven track record in embedded or hardware-adjacent environments).
  • To comply with the US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.
  • Must be fully comfortable working hands-on in a laboratory environment alongside physical hardware and complex test setups.
  • Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to bridge technical gaps between hardware engineers, software teams, and physicists.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Extensive background coding in C/C++ or utilizing Python and its scientific libraries for data analysis and modeling.
  • Deep expertise in designing, modeling, and coding advanced control algorithms (such as PID loops) and fixed-point digital filters.
  • Advanced experience interfacing with external hardware devices through protocols like TCP/UDP, UART, SPI, and I2C.
  • Comprehensive background working with SoC/FPGA architectures and developing specialized Linux device drivers.
  • Highly proficient in using standard test and measurement equipment-including oscilloscopes, function generators, and voltmeters-to benchmark, validate, and debug software performance.

**Benefits will be provided by Vector Atomic, an IonQ Company, and will differ from the benefits listed on the IonQ website.**

Benefits:

Vector Atomic values teamwork, open and honest discourse, and work-life balance. We offer competitive compensation and benefits including:
  • Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
  • Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Employer 401(k) contributions
  • 20 days of paid time off & 11 paid holidays
  • Paid parental leave
  • Fully stocked kitchen


The approximate base salary range for this position is $142,113 - $186,063 per year. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity and benefits. It's atypical to be hired at the top end of this range for the role, as actual pay is based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

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.

About IonQ

IonQ is a quantum computing company that is developing a general-purpose, full-stack quantum computer based on trapped ion technology. The company was founded in 2015 by Chris Monroe and Jungsang Kim. IonQ's quantum computer is designed to be scalable, error-corrected, and fault-tolerant, and is expected to be able to solve problems that are intractable for classical computers. The company has partnerships with Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and others. IonQ has raised over $225 million in funding to date.
Learn more about IonQ
Size
100 employees
Market Cap
$633 million
Industry
Founded
2016
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at IonQ

More Consumer Technology Jobs

Find similar Senior Rust Software Engineer jobs: