IonQ

Staff Technical Program Manager - Quantum Sensing

IonQ$145K — $191K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years leading integrated hardware/software programs from concept to high-volume production and deployment.
  • Experience managing programmatic financials, including EAC, forecasting, and variance management.
  • Proven ability to synchronize cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with executives and stakeholders.
  • Advanced degree in a technical or business discipline is preferred.
  • Significant experience in sectors like quantum computing, aerospace, or defense is preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Lead full technical lifecycle for complex quantum programs from R&D to deployment and sustainment.
  • Build and manage the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and execution plans across functions.
  • Drive transition of quantum technologies from prototypes to production with a focus on readiness.
  • Oversee programmatic financials to ensure fiscal discipline and accurate forecasting.
  • Identify and mitigate technical and operational risks while managing dependencies.
  • Serve as the primary technical liaison, providing status updates and recommendations to executives.
  • Establish governance mechanisms and mentor junior TPMs to enhance execution standards.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • Matching 401(k) contributions.
  • Unlimited PTO and paid holidays.
  • Parental/adoption leave and legal insurance.
  • Home technology stipend.
Full Job Description
Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Pleasanton, CA.
Travel: Up to 25% domestic travel to support customer communications, proposal activities, production readiness, program execution, and customer delivery milestones.Job ID: 1606

The Role:

We are looking for a Staff Technical Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional programs across the complete product lifecycle: early technology development, new technology introduction, new product introduction, production ramp, sustainment, and end-of-life sunsetting. This role is ideal for someone who has successfully taken complex hardware/software systems from concept and prototype through production, customer deployment, operational sustainment, and eventual transition or retirement.

As a Staff TPM, you will operate at the intersection of engineering, product, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, business development, and customer-facing teams. You will help shape and execute program strategy, support federal and commercial proposals, drive NPI and NTI execution, manage programmatic labor and non-labor financials, and create data-driven analysis that informs both strategic and tactical business decisions.

You will be a pivotal leader in ensuring that IonQ's programs meet technical requirements, achieve contractual and customer milestones, scale effectively into production, deliver strong business outcomes, and remain operationally disciplined throughout the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities:
  • End-to-End Program Execution: Lead the full technical lifecycle for complex quantum programs from technology maturation and R&D through production, customer delivery, and field sustainment.
  • Integrated Strategic Planning: Build and own the "Integrated Master Schedule" (IMS) and execution plans that synchronize engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality requirements.
  • New Product & Tech Introduction (NPI/NTI): Drive the transition of quantum technologies from prototype to production, ensuring manufacturing readiness, site requirements, and scalable handoffs.
  • Financial & Resource Stewardship: Manage programmatic financials, including labor/non-labor forecasting, variance analysis, and "Estimate at Completion" (EAC) to ensure fiscal discipline.
  • Risk & Dependency Governance: Proactively identify and mitigate technical, operational, and supply chain risks while managing cross-functional dependencies and decision logs.
  • Executive & Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary technical interface, translating complex programmatic details into clear status updates, dashboards, and recommendations for executives and customers.
  • Operational Excellence & Mentorship: Establish scalable operating mechanisms for program governance (e.g., launch readiness reviews) and mentor junior TPMs to elevate the organization's execution standards.

Requirements:
  • Senior Technical Leadership & Life Cycle Ownership: Over 15 years of experience leading complex, integrated hardware/software programs from R&D/prototyping through NPI, high-volume production, and global customer deployment.
  • Strategic Financial & Operational Stewardship: Proven ability to independently manage programmatic financials (EAC, labor/non-labor forecasting, variance management, and revenue inputs), including direct experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and serving as a Control Account Manager (CAM) or similar to ensure alignment with programmatic governance standards.
  • Cross-Functional & Executive Influence: Proven success as a primary technical interface, capable of synchronizing diverse teams (e.g. Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance) while effectively communicating program health and strategic recommendations to executives and federal/commercial customers.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced Technical Foundation: Possession of an advanced degree in a technical or business discipline, providing the academic rigor required for complex systems engineering.
  • Deep Domain Expertise: Significant experience in high-complexity sectors such as quantum computing, aerospace, defense, semiconductors, or optical and secure communications.
  • Public Sector Navigational Skills: A proven background managing programs within federal, DoD, DOE, or national laboratory environments, including navigating government contracting requirements.
  • Lifecycle Transition Mastery: Expert at leading systems from prototype to production, specifically overseeing production line setup, material readiness, and supply chain synchronization.
  • Data-Driven Financial Modeling: Ability to develop sophisticated financial models, revenue forecasts, and capacity plans that directly inform executive-level business cases and decisions.
  • Professional Certification & Methodology: Industry-recognized credentials (PMP, PgMP, Six Sigma, or Agile) that demonstrate a commitment to standardized, high-quality program governance.
  • Advanced Tool Proficiency: Power-user capabilities in technical and analytical stacks, including Jira/Confluence, GitHub, SAP/Oracle, and data visualization tools like Tableau or PowerBI.
  • Organizational Scaling: Demonstrated ability to build scalable TPM processes from scratch, establishing operating rhythms that improve the efficiency of the entire engineering organization.
  • Strategic Technology Sunset: Experience managing the full product "tail," including end-of-life transitions, technology sunsetting, and replacement planning to ensure seamless customer handoffs.


The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $191,047. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

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 401(k), 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.

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!

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

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