Firmware Engineer

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.  

Vector Atomic, an IonQ company, is building quantum technology to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. Our team of engineers, scientists, software developers, and operations professionals works together to solve complex challenges and turn bold ideas into real-world solutions. We value collaboration, curiosity, and diverse perspectives, and we give every team member the opportunity to make an immediate impact while growing their skills. If you’re excited to work on breakthrough technology in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, we’d love to hear from you. 

We are looking for a skilled Firmware Engineer to join a cross-functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware developers building next-generation quantum sensing instruments. In this role, you will design, implement, and verify embedded software for ST microcontrollers — including COTS devices and MCUs on custom ASICs — and develop the low-level control algorithms that make precision measurement possible. You will work closely with hardware engineers throughout the full product development cycle, from schematic review to board bring-up and production.

• →Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with substantial embedded systems coursework, lab, or internship experience; other technical degrees considered with 2+ years of directly relevant experience.
• →Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ code for small embedded processors.
• →Proficiency writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware for embedded MCUs using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments.
• →Experience developing scripts in Python, Perl, or similar languages.
• →Hands-on experience using test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters) to validate firmware performance.
• →Proven ability to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools.
• →Comfortable working in a laboratory environment.
• →To comply with the US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.

• Experience designing and implementing control algorithms such as PID controllers.
• Familiarity with fixed-point arithmetic and digital filter design for embedded applications.
• Experience interfacing with external devices via TCP, UDP, UART, SPI, I2C, or similar protocols.
• Proficiency in assembly language programming for embedded targets.
• Experience implementing lightweight Ethernet stacks (e.g., lwIP) on small embedded systems.
• Background working with SoC or FPGA devices.

 **Benefits will be provided by Vector Atomic, an IonQ Company, and will differ from the benefits listed on the IonQ website.** 

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!