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IonQ is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity in 2025, setting a world record in quantum computing performance. IonQ serves major customers including Amazon Web Services and AstraZeneca, helping them achieve 20x performance results in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense.
This Staff Cryptography Engineer role is based onsite in Geneva, Switzerland, and focuses on building post-quantum cryptography (PQC) hardware acceleration for HSM and network-appliance products. You will be a hands-on developer at the heart of applied cryptography, working with some of the most experienced cryptographic engineers in the field.
Key Responsibilities:
- 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 decomposition of 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
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 expertise and grow into a world-class applied cryptographer
