Senior Legal Program Manager

IonQ•Bothell, WA

14d•Hybrid

About The Position

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution. We move fast. We need a Senior Legal Program Manager who operates as an engine for the Legal team—someone who doesn't just spot problems but rolls up their sleeves to fix them. In this role, you will be the primary operator ensuring our legal projects cross the finish line. You will support a diverse set of legal needs (Intellectual Property, Patents, Labor & Employment, Lobbying Transparency) with a focus on execution and high-quality results. We need a builder who can gather detailed requirements, scrub data, implement tools, and drive projects from vague concepts to concrete completion.

Requirements

Experience: 7+ years of experience in Legal Project Management, Legal Operations, or Technical Program Management (TPM). Hardware or engineering-centric experience is a plus.
Execution Focus: Proven track record of being an Individual Contributor (IC) who executes complex projects without a large support staff. You must be comfortable doing the work yourself.
Technical Aptitude: Strong proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets, project management software (Jira, Asana, Monday.com), and data visualization tools. You should be comfortable learning new software quickly.
Methodology: Clear understanding of project management principles (waterfall and agile), specifically applied to non-software environments.

Nice To Haves

Tech industry experience, including with complex technologies
Demonstrated experience in fast-paced, results-oriented organizations
Degree or certificate related to program or project management
Prior experience working with a legal organization

Responsibilities

End-to-End Project Execution Delivery: Lead legal projects from initiation to close. You will personally handle requirements gathering, milestone tracking, and deliverable creation.
Requirements Engineering: Sit with attorneys and stakeholders to translate complex legal needs into clear, actionable project plans. You will be responsible for defining what "done" looks like and assessing project success post-launch.
Gap Analysis: Proactively identify bottlenecks in legal workflows. If a process is broken, you will map it, fix it, and document the new standard operating procedure (SOP).
Hands-on Management: dive into our IP management systems (e.g., Foundation IP) to ensure data integrity. You will be responsible for the accuracy of the data that drives our patent strategy.
Workflow Simplification: Reduce the administrative burden on IP attorneys by creating smoother intake processes for invention disclosures and patent decisions.
Tech Enablement: Play a leading role in executing the Legal Technology roadmap. You will participate in evaluating and selecting tools, driving implementation, configuration, user acceptance testing (UAT), and training for new systems.
Dashboards & Reporting: Build (not just manage) the reporting framework. You will create the processes and dashboards that track Outside Counsel spend, matter volumes, and IP metrics to provide leadership with clear visibility.
Cross-Functional Agility: Work directly with IT, HR, and other cross-functional teams to ensure legal requirements are integrated into company-wide initiatives.
Resource Optimization: tactical management of vendor and Outside Counsel operational data to ensure we are staying within budget and adhering to billing guidelines.