Principal Solutions Architect - Quantum-Safe Networks

IonQ

4h • $192,979 - $276,722 • Hybrid

About The Position

IonQ is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to design how networks become quantum-safe for major network operators, enterprises, and government agencies. The role addresses the critical challenge of securing networks against cryptographically relevant quantum computers, which will break current cryptographic methods. The architect will lead the effort to inventory cryptography, ensure agility, migrate to post-quantum algorithms, and implement quantum-safe key distribution. This position involves both customer-facing activities, such as leading architecture discussions and running proofs of concept, and internal design authority, standards work, and thought leadership. The ideal candidate is comfortable discussing network security at various levels, from firewall design to CISO-level risk assessment, and can explain technical details to both network engineers and executives. This is an architecture and customer-focused role, not a software development role, with a focus on owning designs, decisions, and IonQ's quantum-safe networking narrative.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in designing and securing enterprise and/or service provider networks, in roles such as solutions architect, network architect, security architect, or senior customer-facing engineer.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of current network construction and security practices, including routing, switching, IP transport, network segmentation, firewall and access control design, VPNs, network-layer encryption, and Zero Trust principles.
• Multi-vendor network experience (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Nokia).
• Working knowledge of applied cryptography in network contexts, including TLS, IPsec, MACsec, PKI, certificate lifecycle management, key management, and practical algorithm/key material selection and changes.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with customers at multiple levels, leading workshops, conducting architecture discussions with engineers, and conversing credibly with CISOs or SVPs of Infrastructure on risk, cost, and sequencing.
• A strong interest in the future of quantum-safe networking, including post-quantum cryptography, crypto-agility, quantum key distribution, and the migration challenges for existing networks.
• Strong written communication skills for creating architectures, migration plans, and design guidance.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with post-quantum cryptography migration, including cryptographic discovery and inventory, crypto-agility architecture, hybrid key exchange, or PQC deployment in network or PKI environments.
• Hands-on exposure to quantum key distribution or quantum networking, such as testbeds, trials, key delivery interfaces, or optical/transport-layer integration.
• Experience at a network or security vendor, service provider, hyperscaler, or a large enterprise network/security team with architectural accountability at scale.
• Familiarity with security and compliance frameworks like NIST CSF, CIS Benchmarks, ISO 27001, FISMA, FedRAMP, or sector-specific regulations.
• Experience in public-sector, defense, financial services, or telecom industries where high-assurance and long data-confidentiality horizons are critical.
• Contributions to standards bodies (e.g., IETF, ETSI) or the technical community (e.g., national PQC working groups, published writing, conference talks).
• Relevant technical certifications such as CISSP, CCIE/JNCIE, or CCNP Security.
• Comfort with automation and tooling (e.g., Python, config-as-code, network telemetry) for building demos or analyses.

Responsibilities

• Design quantum-safe target architectures and migration paths for customer networks, covering WAN, transport, data center, campus, segmentation, access control, key management, and underlying cryptography.
• Lead technical discovery and architecture workshops with network, security, and infrastructure teams to assess current state, identify cryptographic vulnerabilities, and build executable migration plans.
• Own the technical aspects of complex pursuits, including architecture proposals, RFI/RFP responses, security and compliance questions, competitive positioning, and objection handling in partnership with Sales.
• Design and execute proofs of concept, interoperability tests, and pilots with Sales Engineers, engineering teams, and customer staff, focusing on PQC and hybrid key exchange in production-representative environments, and potentially QKD-integrated links.
• Translate field learnings into scalable, reusable reference architectures, migration playbooks, interoperability matrices, and design guides.
• Act as the customer's advocate in the product development process, providing actionable architectural constraints, integration gaps, and roadmap requirements to Product and Engineering teams.
• Monitor the evolving standards and threat landscape (e.g., NIST PQC, IETF protocols, mandates) and ensure architectures and guidance remain current.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Corporate Communications, and GTM teams to enhance IonQ's technical presence in the networking and security community through talks, papers, blogs, standards bodies, and industry events.
• Elevate the technical standards within the team through architecture reviews, mentoring, and the development of reusable design patterns.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Matching 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid holidays
• Parental/adoption leave
• Legal insurance
• Home technology stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal