Senior Account Executive, DaaS & Satellite Systems

IonQ•Columbia, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

IonQ is hiring a Senior Account Executive to drive U.S. Federal sales of Capella Data as a Service (DaaS) and satellite systems. This role involves owning the full sales cycle across assigned defense, intelligence, and federal civilian accounts. Responsibilities include building pipeline, shaping requirements, navigating acquisition pathways, and closing awards for SAR imagery and analytics subscriptions, tasking capacity, and complete satellite systems. The Account Executive will partner closely with Field Engineers and capture, proposal, and contracts teams to connect space-based sensing to mission outcomes and expand IonQ’s footprint in the federal market. This position is ideal for a proven federal seller who understands federal program funding and procurement processes and can translate mission needs into multi-year contracts.

Requirements

8+ years of quota-carrying sales experience with U.S. defense, intelligence, or federal civilian agencies, with a track record of exceeding targets in geospatial data, earth observation, satellite systems, defense technology, or adjacent data/SaaS markets.
Demonstrated success closing complex, multi-year federal deals, including data subscription or as-a-service offerings and hardware or systems sales.
Deep understanding of federal acquisition and budgeting, including the FAR/DFARS, the PPBE cycle, and contract vehicles such as GSA MAS, IDIQs, and OTAs.
Established network across DoD, the Intelligence Community, and federal civilian mission customers (e.g., NGA, NRO, U.S. Space Force, NOAA), along with relationships with relevant prime contractors and integrators.
Working knowledge of remote sensing and SAR value propositions, with the ability to articulate technical capabilities in mission terms and partner with Field Engineers on deeper technical scoping.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presence.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Nice To Haves

Active U.S. security clearance (TS/SCI preferred), or eligibility to obtain one.
Prior experience selling commercial satellite imagery, SAR data, or geospatial analytics to federal customers.
Experience introducing an emerging technology into new federal programs, including helping establish new budget lines or programs of record.
Military, Intelligence Community, or government program-office background.
Familiarity with structured sales qualification methodologies (e.g., MEDDPICC) and enterprise CRM tools such as Salesforce.

Responsibilities

Own and exceed an annual bookings quota for Capella DaaS subscriptions, tasking capacity, and satellite system sales across an assigned territory of DoD, Intelligence Community, and federal civilian agency accounts.
Build and manage a qualified pipeline through account planning, executive outreach, and relationship development with program offices, mission users, contracting officers, and budget decision-makers.
Shape opportunities early — influencing requirements and responding to sources-sought notices and RFIs — and position IonQ on the right contract vehicles, including GSA MAS, IDIQs, OTAs, SBIR/STTR pathways, and direct awards.
Lead win strategy for RFPs and government solicitations in partnership with Field Engineers and the capture, proposal, pricing, and contracts teams, driving pursuits through to award.
Develop teaming relationships with prime contractors, systems integrators, and channel partners to expand access to programs and accelerate deal flow.
Maintain accurate forecasts and pipeline hygiene in the CRM, giving leadership clear visibility into deal status, risks, and budget-cycle timing.
Bring federal market intelligence and customer requirements back to product, engineering, and mission solutions teams to inform the roadmap, and represent IonQ at defense, intelligence, and geospatial industry events.