At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge software architecture for quantum computing.
- Company: Join IonQ, a leader in quantum technology transforming the future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of quantum systems and make a real-world impact.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software development, with 5+ as an architect; expertise in real-time systems.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we're building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today's supercomputers cannot solve. Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world's most complex problems. IonQ's newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025. The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.
We are looking for a Principal Software Architect to join our Compute Software organisation at IonQ. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the architecture of the software that enables a quantum computer, from low level hardware control up to developer programming interfaces, contributing to the team’s mission of delivering a complete software product for a quantum computer. You'll play an important part in shaping the software and tools that support our work in building the world's most advanced quantum systems. Our architecture now needs to evolve to support the next generation of our systems, and you will lead that work.
Responsibilities:
- Develop the software architecture covering real-time and non-real-time hardware management, low level orchestration and user interfaces for the current product and the future roadmap of products.
- Work with the technical leads from the development teams to support the effective development and delivery of a scalable solution that supports internal experimental scientists and external customers.
- Develop an evolving software architecture to support a family of products, contributing directly to the success of the system software team in delivering a world leading quantum computer.
- Coach and train technical leads in good architectural principles, and work closely with the infrastructure, firmware and compiler teams across the UK and the US.
Key responsibilities include:
- Development and documentation of the system software architecture.
- Managing the evolving architecture across a family of products.
- Coordination with other architects across the whole of software and the wider system.
- Research and analysis to support future requirements elucidation.
- Coordination with technical leads to ensure that the design and implementation meets the intention of the architecture.
Requirements:
To be successful, you will need prior experience of developing a large and scalable software architecture covering real-time requirements and distributed processing. We're looking for someone who can think strategically at the architecture level, solve challenging technical issues, track the latest industry good practice and tools, and communicate those ideas and technologies to the wider software team. You will work at the level of the whole system, describing each component, what it does and its constraints, and then handing the detailed design and implementation to the development teams rather than designing through code. A grounding in formal architecture methods and principles such as cohesion, coupling and encapsulation will help you succeed, as will experience of evolving an architecture that has to grow with the product. Our immediate focus is system software and lower level control; experience further up the software stack is an advantage.
You'd be a great fit with:
- More than 10 years of software development experience, with more than 5 as a software architect.
- A clear understanding of software architecture principles.
- A background in real-time software development.
- Experience working on software projects written in Rust.
Principal Software Architect employer: Oxford Ionics
At IonQ, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of quantum computing innovation, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and creativity thrive. As a Director, Systems Software, you will not only lead a talented team but also have access to exceptional career growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible working arrangements and private medical insurance. Join us in College Park, Maryland, and be part of a world-class community dedicated to shaping the future of technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Architect
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Oxford Ionics or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Oxford Ionics.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Oxford Ionics.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Oxford Ionics that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Oxford Ionics.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Oxford Ionics and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Ionics
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Oxford Ionics uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
