Join IonQ as an Optical Integration Engineer to work on subsystem integration of optical, mechanical, and electrical components in quantum networking.
Posted by employer 2 months ago
First seen on Joblaze 5 hours ago
Last verified on the company career page 5 hours ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Perform precision optical alignment and integration of components
- Support the development and improvement of assembly processes
- Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot issues
- Maintain accurate documentation for traceability
- Handle sensitive optical hardware in cleanroom standards
Must have
- 2–5 years of experience in optical components
- Experience in an assembly or optical alignment environment
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Excellent manual dexterity with delicate optical components
Nice to have
- 5+ years of experience in optical components
- Experience with optical alignment techniques
- Experience in R&D environments
- Knowledge of optical and mechanical design processes
- Experience with optical design software
Practical constraints
- Travel up to 25%
- Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
Requirements
- Experience
- 2–5 years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Optical Integration Engineer at IonQ plays a vital role in the Quantum Networking team, focusing on the integration of optical, mechanical, and electrical components into complex systems. This position requires hands-on expertise in optical assembly, precision alignment, and the use of metrology tools, making familiarity with cleanroom operations essential. Ideal candidates will have 2-5 years of relevant experience in optics or photonics, along with strong problem-solving skills. IonQ's collaborative environment emphasizes teamwork across various engineering disciplines, enhancing the integration of advanced quantum technologies.
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: Bothell, Washington, United States.
- Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Starts above 10% of 10 comparable mid other roles in United States that list Engineering we track (median $100,000 across 5 companies).
- Engineering appears in 0.8% of 3054 comparable mid other roles in United States; photonics appears in 0.2% of 3054 comparable mid other roles in United States.
Quick facts
- Is the Optical Integration Engineer role remote?
- It's hybrid — IonQ expects some on-site time in Bothell, Washington, United States.
- What's the salary range?
- IonQ lists $99,782–$143,083 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- 2–5 years of relevant experience for this Optical Integration Engineer role.
- Where is the role based?
- IonQ is hiring for this position in Bothell, Washington, United States.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Engineering, Laser Safety, Optics, metrology, optomechanics, photonics.
- What seniority level is this role?
- IonQ targets mid-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Optical Integration Engineer role at IonQ.
From the original posting
About IonQ:
Location: This role is based at our Bothell, WA office, with the option to work a few days a week remotely.
Travel: Up to 25%, domestic.
Job ID: 1751
The Role:
We are seeking an Optical Integration Engineer to join the Quantum Networking team at IonQ. This critical role entails subsystem integration of optical, mechanical, and electrical components into complex systems. Hands-on experience is required, as well as the ability to follow work instructions, develop new procedures, perform measurements, and work closely with engineering teams to troubleshoot problems and develop processes. Mechanical assembly, optical alignments, electronics mounting, and cable routing experience is ideal.
Responsibilities:
- Perform precision optical alignment and integration of components and assemblies
- Follow and execute work instructions and alignment procedures
- Support the development and improvement of assembly and alignment processes
- Perform inspection and measurement of optomechanical assemblies
- Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot alignment and performance issues
- Maintain accurate documentation for traceability
- Handle sensitive optical hardware in accordance with cleanroom and contamination control standards
- Integration of diverse optical systems, such as free-space optical communication systems, fiber-based systems, and high-power laser applications
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and control engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of optical subsystems
- Integration of control electronics and routed systems
Technical Skills
- Proven experience in optical assembly or optical instrument manufacturing, preferably in aerospace, photonics, medical devices, or precision equipment
- Strong experience with precision alignment and metrology tools such as:
- Autocollimators
- Beam Profilers
- Shearing interferometers
- Optical power meters
- Infrared cameras and sensors
- Interferometers for surface quality and wavefront error measurements
- Polarimeters
- Excellent manual dexterity and precision handling of delicate optical components, and small precision components
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, exploded diagrams, and optical assembly procedures
- Experience with cleanroom operations (ISO 5 to ISO 8), ESD control, laser safety, and contamination-sensitive environments
- Understanding of optomechanical interfaces, including lens mounts, kinematic mounts, fiber collimators, alignment stages
- Experience with optical cleaning procedures and handling techniques
- Familiarity with measurement and inspection tools (micrometers, calipers, torque tools)
Requirements:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Photonics, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 2–5 years of experience in optical components, aerospace, optical communications, photonics, or precision optics manufacturing
- Experience in an assembly, integration, or optical alignment environment
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Computer literacy (Microsoft Office, data entry systems, basic Linux)
- Maintains a clean & organized workspace
- Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
Soft Skills
- Extremely detail-oriented with a rigorous and disciplined mindset
- Strong documentation and traceability skills
- Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams
- High reliability, accountability, and ownership
- Excellent cross functional communication and collaboration skills in a diverse team environment
- Mission-driven and team-oriented mindset
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Ability to effectively present data and results
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in Optics, Photonics, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of experience in optical components, aerospace, optical communications, photonics, or precision optics manufacturing
- Experience with optical alignment techniques, bench-top setups, and complex optical systems
- Experience in R&D environments
- Experience with mechanical and optical bonding & adhesives
- Enthusiasm to work with engineering to improve/develop work instructions, providing feedback, and experience in technical writing
- Experience working closely with optomechanical or mechanical engineers to set requirements including necessary degrees of freedom in a design
- Knowledge of optical and mechanical design and manufacturing processes
- Experience with product development lifecycle including design verification, design validation, and design maturation
- Demonstrated experience with industry and design best practices
- Experience developing specifications for optical/optomechanical/optoelectronic components and assemblies
- Experience with optical design software (e.g., ZEMAX) and mechanical design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Siemens NX).
- Mechanical integration experience including, chiller systems, mechanical structures, pressurized, cryogenic, and high vacuum systems
- Familiarity with cable and fiber optic harnessing
- Experience with data analysis or processing tools such as, MATLAB or Python
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.