Principal Solutions Architect - Quantum-Safe Networks

Requirements: 15+ years designing and securing enterprise and/or service provider networks, in a solutions architecture, network architecture, security architecture, or senior customer-facing engineering capacity. Deep (hands-on) knowledge of how networks are built and secured today: routing and switching, IP transport, network segmentation, firewall and access control design, VPN and encryption at the network layer, and Zero Trust principles applied to real infrastructure. Multi-vendor experience (for example, Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Nokia) is expected. Working knowledge of applied cryptography as it appears in networks: TLS, IPsec, MACsec, PKI and certificate lifecycle, key management, and how algorithm and key material choices are made and changed in practice. Demonstrated ability to work in front of customers at multiple levels — leading workshops, running architecture discussions with engineers, and holding a credible conversation with a CISO or SVP of Infrastructure about risk, cost, and sequencing. A serious interest in where this is heading, and enough grounding to be credible on day one: post-quantum cryptography and crypto-agility, quantum key distribution, and the migration challenge facing existing networks. You do not need to have shipped a PQC migration — very few people have — but you should be able to reason about the problem rigorously and be visibly motivated to go deep. Strong written communication. Architectures, migration plans, and design guidance are a large part of the output. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Willingness to travel up to 30%, primarily within the US, with incidental international travel. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with post-quantum cryptography migration: cryptographic discovery and inventory, crypto-agility architecture, hybrid key exchange, or PQC deployment in a network or PKI context. Hands-on exposure to quantum key distribution or quantum networking — testbeds, carrier or research trials, key delivery interfaces to encryptors, or optical and transport-layer integration. Experience at a network or security vendor, service provider, hyperscaler, or a large enterprise network or security team — with real accountability for architecture decisions at scale. Familiarity with the security and compliance frameworks customers will map this work to: NIST CSF, CIS Benchmarks, ISO 27001, FISMA, FedRAMP, or sector-specific regulation. Public-sector, defense, financial services, or telecom experience, where high-assurance and long data-confidentiality horizons make this problem urgent today. Contributions to standards or the technical community: IETF, ETSI, national PQC migration working groups, published writing, or conference talks. Certifications that validate technical depth — CISSP, CCIE/JNCIE, CCNP Security, or equivalent. Comfort with automation and tooling — Python, config-as-code, network telemetry — enough to build a credible demo or analysis yourself rather than waiting on someone else. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site. If this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range. Wage Transparency: $192,979 — $276,722 USD 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