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IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. ID Quantique (IDQ), part of IonQ, is a global leader in quantum-safe communications, protecting governments, telecom infrastructures, and financial institutions from harvest-now-decrypt-later threats through terrestrial and space-based quantum-safe networks.
You will join the team building post-quantum cryptography (PQC) hardware acceleration for HSM and network-appliance products. This is a hands-on development role at the heart of applied cryptography, working alongside some of the most experienced cryptographic engineers in the field.
Key responsibilities include:
- Implement and maintain reference and bit-accurate models of ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA/LMS in C/C++/Rust and Python
- Develop constant-time software implementations of cryptographic functions
- Build known-answer-test and test-vector tooling (NIST ACVP) for verification and CAVP certification
- Contribute to decomposing algorithms into hardware-friendly building blocks (Keccak, NTT, polynomial arithmetic, samplers, encode/decode)
- Support RTL and firmware engineers with algorithm questions and debugging
- Evaluate third-party cryptographic libraries under guidance of senior cryptography engineers
You will work on implementing reference models, optimized software, and test-vector infrastructure for post-quantum algorithms, while supporting hardware and firmware teams with algorithm expertise and certification-oriented tooling.
Requirements:
- Master's degree (PhD preferred) in Cryptography, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field
- At least 5 years of experience implementing cryptographic algorithms or security-critical software in C/C++ or Rust
- Solid understanding of modern cryptographic primitives
- First exposure to post-quantum schemes (lattice-based or hash-based) and their underlying mathematics
- Strong focus on correctness and well-tested, readable code
- Understanding of constant-time implementation and its importance
- Fluency in English required; French or German advantageous
Preferred qualifications:
- Familiarity with NIST test-vector formats, CAVP/ACVP, or certification-oriented development
- Ambition to build deep post-quantum cryptography expertise
- Interest in growing into a world-class applied cryptographer on real products with demanding correctness and security requirements
