Senior Account Executive - US Federal - Space Force

About IonQ:
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.
Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices or fully remote in the US.
Travel: Up to 40%
Job ID: 1798
The Role:
IonQ is building the world's first fully-expressive, full-stack quantum computer based on trapped ion technology. Quantum computing is poised to reshape medicine, materials, simulation, and much more. To support our rapid growth, we're hiring creative collaborators with top skills in their areas of expertise and a commitment to success.
We are looking for a Senior Account Executive - US Federal - Space Force that will be part of our US Federal Go-To-Market team whose mission is to bring IonQ's offering—including Quantum Hardware (Systems and Networks), Software, Applications, and Access—to a curated set of clients across the US Department of War. This is an individual contributor role with potential to build a team down the road.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Space, Land, and T&E Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain executive-level relationships within the U.S. Space Force (e.g., Space Systems Command, Space RCO), U.S. Army (e.g., AFC, PEO IEW&S, PEO STRI), and the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). Work in lockstep with your Field Engineer counterpart to align IonQ solutions with specific requirements, such as the Army's Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and USSF's Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC) initiatives.
Mission-Focused Pipeline Generation: Develop a robust pipeline of opportunities across IonQ's full stack, specifically targeting:
Quantum Computing for satellite constellation optimization, Army tactical logistics, and high-fidelity T&E modeling and simulation.
Quantum Networking for secure Space-to-Ground communications, cross-domain data sharing, and resilient tactical networks for the modular Army.
Quantum Sensing for PNT in contested space environments, subterranean/urban sensing for ground forces, and advanced instrumentation for TRMC test ranges.
Strategic Qualification and Mission Alignment: Prioritize opportunities based on their potential for enhancing orbital security, ground force lethality, and T&E infrastructure modernization. Navigate RDT&E accounts and transition technologies into Programs of Record (PoR), ensuring alignment with the Army's 2030/2040 Transformation and the Space Force's vision for a resilient space order of battle.
Full Lifecycle Capture Management: Own the end-to-end sales and capture lifecycle. This includes navigating the federal acquisition process, leading technical qualifications, and managing formal RFI/RFP responses. Execute complex negotiations for defense-specific vehicles, including OTAs, SBIR/STTR Phase II/III, and TRMC-specific funding streams (e.g., Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program).
Cross-Functional Command: Mobilize and lead internal IonQ teams—including Security (clearing FOCI concerns), Legal, and Engineering—to provide the technical depth and compliance required to win high-stakes USSF, Army, and TRMC contracts.
Operational and Range Integration: Partner with delivery and support teams post-award to ensure seamless integration into the warfighter's workflow and T&E range environments. Drive long-term adoption, facilitate contract renewals, and identify expansion opportunities for new mission sets across the Space and Land domains.
Requirements:
Defense GTM Tenure: Minimum of 10 years of experience selling to the Department of the Army, U.S. Space Force, or OSD-level agencies (like TRMC) with quota-carrying responsibilities and a proven ability to close multi-million dollar platform or infrastructure deals.
HPC and Mission Infrastructure Sales: Experience selling high-performance computing (HPC), AI/ML infrastructure, or advanced mission systems (hardware or software) to the Department of Defense.
USSF, Army, and T&E Network: Existing relationships within the U.S. Space Force (e.g., SSC, Starcom), U.S. Army (e.g., Army Futures Command, DEVCOM, PEO Soldier), and/or TRMC, with a deep understanding of their unique mission sets.
Complex Federal GTM Problem Solving: Ability to navigate the unique federal procurement process, security compliance requirements (including FedRAMP and IL levels), and National Security hurdles. Proven ability to move technologies through the T&E phase and into Programs of Record.
Preferred Qualifications:
Targeted Senior Level Relationships: Existing senior-level relationships (e.g., PEOs, Lab Directors, or Chief Scientists) within Space Systems Command (SSC), Army DEVCOM, or the TRMC leadership team.
Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of USSF and Army operational drivers that can be enhanced using Quantum, such as orbital mechanics, satellite resilience, electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), and T&E range instrumentation.
AI/ML for Defense: Experience selling AI/ML, high-performance analytics, or autonomous systems solutions for use by space operators, ground commanders, or test and evaluation engineers.
Quantum Literacy: Knowledge of Quantum technologies (Compute, Networks, and Sensing) specifically as they relate to DoD applications, such as quantum-secure satellite links, subterranean mapping, and ultra-precise T&E data collection.
Category Creation: Experience in category creation selling—specifically creating compelling approaches to sell frontier technology solutions that are not yet established Programs of Record or standard line items in RDT&E or TRMC budgets.
OTE for this role is expected to be $380K
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:
$182,400—$262,000 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 purpos

Work arrangement
Yes