Lead the design and layout of advanced photonic integrated devices and circuits for quantum computing at IonQ.
Posted by employer 1 month ago
First seen on Joblaze 5 hours ago
Last verified on the company career page 5 hours ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Lead component design and layout in support of PDK development
- Support design and layout for quantum photonic technologies
- Own full-reticle tapeouts from floorplanning through GDS generation
- Partner with internal fabrication and test teams to validate PDK components
Must have
- A PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field
- Experience designing devices in diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, or ion trap photonics platforms
- Extensive hands-on experience generating layout for integrated photonic circuits
- Deep expertise with Python-based photonic layout tools
Nice to have
- Experience developing or supporting PDKs for commercial photonic foundries
- Proficiency with agentic AI workflows
- Strong software engineering skills, including Python layout automation
Practical constraints
- Less than 10% travel
AI in the day-to-day
Proficiency with agentic AI workflows (e.g., Claude Code) to accelerate design and layout work.
Requirements
- Education
- PhD
Not disclosed in this posting: years of experience, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Lead Integrated Photonics Simulation and Layout Engineer at IonQ focuses on designing and laying out advanced photonic integrated devices and circuits, primarily supporting process development kits (PDKs) with commercial foundries. Key skills include expertise in photonic simulation tools and hands-on experience with integrated photonic circuit layouts, particularly in diamond photonics and thin-film lithium niobate. This role is suited for candidates with a PhD or equivalent experience, who have a strong background in photonics and a collaborative mindset. IonQ's emphasis on pushing design boundaries reflects its commitment to advancing quantum computing technology.
Joblaze insights
- Listed today — first seen on Joblaze October 3, 2026. Last confirmed on IonQ's careers page October 3, 2026.
- This exact title is also open at 1 other location at IonQ: Remote, US.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Starts above 25% of 24 comparable lead other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $154,000 across 11 companies). See Python salary trends
- Python appears in 6.2% of 613 comparable lead other roles in United States; ion trap photonics appears in 0.2% of 613 comparable lead other roles in United States.
Quick facts
- Is the Lead Integrated Photonics Simulation and Layout Engineer role remote?
- It's hybrid — IonQ expects some on-site time in Boston, MA, United States.
- What's the salary range?
- IonQ lists $145,920–$209,241 for this role.
- Where is the role based?
- IonQ is hiring for this position in Boston, MA, United States.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: COMSOL, KLayout, Luceda IPKISS, Lumerical, Python, Tidy3D.
- What seniority level is this role?
- IonQ targets lead candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Lead Integrated Photonics Simulation and Layout Engineer role at IonQ.
From the original posting
About IonQ:
Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid/Remote options available)
Travel: Less than 10% travel
Job ID: 1801
The Role:
We are looking for a Lead Integrated Photonic Simulation & Layout Engineer. In this role, 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 lead the layout of state-of-the-art photonic integrated devices and circuits, with a primary focus on supporting PDK development with commercial foundries. You will also contribute to design and layout for quantum photonic platforms, including diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, and ion trap photonics. As part of our research organization, your work will be driven by ambitious system-level specifications, pushing the boundaries of current design capabilities to achieve unprecedented device performance.
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:
- A 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.
The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.
If this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range.
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.
Standard company text repeated across IonQ's postings is omitted here.