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IonQ is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to design quantum-safe network architectures for the world's largest network operators, enterprises, and government agencies. The role addresses a critical emerging challenge: today's networks rely on cryptography that quantum computers will break, requiring organizations to inventory their cryptography, adopt crypto-agility, migrate to post-quantum algorithms, and implement quantum-safe key distribution. Almost no organization yet understands what this architecture should look like—this role solves that problem.
The position is split between customer-facing work (approximately 50%) and internal design authority (approximately 50%). On the customer side, you'll lead architecture discussions with GTM colleagues, design quantum-safe target architectures and migration paths, run proofs of concept and interoperability tests, and serve as the technical authority on complex pursuits. Internally, you'll develop reference architectures, migration playbooks, standards, whitepapers, and product requirements that guide IonQ's engineering and product teams.
You'll be equally comfortable reviewing firewall designs and discussing hybrid key exchange and crypto-agility. You can explain to a CISO why cryptographic inventory is the hard part, and advise network engineers on specific IPsec algorithms and where to insert external key material for quantum-safety. This is not a software architecture role—you won't own a codebase (though scripting is a plus). Instead, you own designs, decisions, and the technical credibility of IonQ's quantum-safe networking narrative.
Responsibilities include designing quantum-safe target architectures and migration paths spanning WAN, transport, and data center networks; leading customer architecture engagements and technical discussions; running proofs of concept and interoperability tests; developing reference architectures and migration playbooks; contributing to standards bodies and thought leadership; and translating field learnings into product requirements. You'll work with customers across government, defense, finance, and critical infrastructure sectors.
IonQ is a publicly traded (NYSE: IONQ) quantum computing platform company headquartered in College Park, Maryland, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The company has achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity and works with customers including AWS and AstraZeneca on applications in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, and cybersecurity.
