Production Manager, Quantum Compute
Job description
About IonQ:
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.
Location: Onsite in Bothell, WA
Travel: up to 15% domestically
Job ID: 1749
The Role:
IonQ is looking for an agile, operationally excellent Production Manager to lead our high-mix, low-volume manufacturing floor. In this role, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge quantum engineering and scalable operations. You will manage a highly skilled team of technicians assembling complex, scientific-grade electromechanical, optomechanical, and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems.
Our ideal candidate is an operational expert who thrives in dynamic, scaling environments. You will partner with Supply Chain and Program Management to optimize production workflows,, and help lay the operational foundation for our next phase of growth by implementing and refining a scalable production model that is best suited for building and deploying quantum computers.
Responsibilities
:
- Lead, grow, and resource a team of skilled opto-mechanical and electrical manufacturing technicians; design and maintain advanced training programs to accelerate technical development, career growth, and optical alignment capacity.
- Coach and partner with Production Support Engineers to rapidly resolve non-conformances and provide real-time build support during late-stage NPI and production runs.
- Own production execution and customer deliveries, continuously optimizing short- and long-term build plans. Dynamically re-factor schedules and re-allocate labor in real-time, effectively absorbing change in the manufacturing environment similar to late stage NPI programs.
- Partner with Supply Chain Management (SCM) to align on component lead times, critical-path bottlenecks, and material readiness, helping mitigate supply chain delays and material shortages in production.
- Optimize the physical manufacturing floor layout and point-of-use inventory strategies in partnership with the Inventory and Logistics team to maximize throughput and minimize waste.
- Design, implement, and maintain advanced training programs for technicians with the goal of improving quality, and partnering with Manufacturing and Test Engineering to develop optical alignment capacity.
- Participate in NPI Programs as a Production representative, partnering with leadership to allocate resources for NPI builds as capacity allows.
- Collaborate with leadership, owning team resource planning, which includes filling open roles and forecasting future staffing needs.
- Develop and improve production processes, including refining 5S and LEAN principles, collaborating with Manufacturing and Quality Engineering to, formalize and sustain established workflows.
- Effectively communicate priorities, production progress, risks, and resource needs to senior leadership while facilitating cross-functional alignment.
- Maintain and improve current production management systems while helping define the future roadmap for scalable shop-floor tracking and digital tools.
- Partner with Quality Management to analyze yield data, identify throughput trends, root-cause failures, and leverage data to implement corrective actions (CAPA).
- Serve as a champion for cleanroom protocols (ISO standards), laser safety compliance, and the specialized handling of sensitive components.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience managing production/manufacturing operations in a high-mix, low-volume environment (e.g., aerospace, defense, medical devices, semiconductor, or advanced scientific instrumentation).
- Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Management, or a related technical discipline. An equivalent of an alternate degree coupled with hands-on leadership experience in an advanced technology hardware manufacturing environment (aerospace, semiconductor, medical devices) will also be considered.
- Demonstrated track record of effective people leadership, with a focus on talent development, employee upskilling, and performance management.
- Proven track record of managing highly dynamic build plans where changing variables require rapid, flexible pivot planning.
- Strong experience driving operational maturity by establishing standardized practices from legacy or uncodified processes.
- High-level understanding of complex electromechanical and optomechanical assemblies to accurately gauge build complexities and resource constraints.
- Strong proficiency using ERP tools like NetSuite, project management software (like Jira), collaborative spreadsheets, and basic data visualization tools like Power BI to track progress and schedules.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience implementing, migrating, or heavily configuring a formal Manufacturing Execution System (MES) or expanding modern ERP features on a shop floor.
- Experience scaling teams of 10-15 to XX – optimizing organizational structures, including implementing shift coverage, expanding leadership tiers, and architecting specialized technical teams to maximize performance.
- Experience working directly within cleanrooms (ISO classes) and managing laser safety protocols.
- Background in specialized component handling (e.g., fiber optics, ultra-high vacuum/UHV systems).
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification with a focus on value stream mapping and bottleneck elimination.
The approximate base salary range for this position is $151,756 - $198,688. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.
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.
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!