Staff Supplier Quality Engineer

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: Oxford, UK
Office commitment: Hybrid
The Role:
Quantum is now, and it's built here. Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we're building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today's supercomputers cannot solve.
We are looking for a hands-on Staff Supplier Quality Engineer to join a cross-functional team building the world's best quantum computers. You will make sure the components and materials coming from our supply base meet the reliability and performance our systems depend on.
Working with manufacturing, supply chain and design engineering, you will create and maintain the quality systems and processes that govern our external suppliers. Supplier quality is paramount at IonQ, and this role brings a systematic approach to putting a robust Quality Management System in place, running it and maintaining it across the supply base. 25-50% of this role involves travel, mainly for supplier visits and audits.
Responsibilities:
You will own supplier quality from selection and qualification through to ongoing performance. That means working with Strategic Sourcing and Engineering & Technology to audit and assess potential suppliers, and owning incoming material inspection, first article inspection and source release decisions. Where no industry standard exists for a novel component, you will define how it is qualified and inspected.
You will also be the supplier quality voice in the company's governance. You will lead the supplier quality position at the Qualification Review Board, represent Supplier Quality on the Change Control Board and contribute to the disposition of nonconforming material at the Material Review Board. You will report supplier quality performance to management and show how it supports IonQ's objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading supplier selection, qualification, audits and assessments, and driving continuous improvement at supplier sites
Owning the Approved Supplier List, including the decision authority for supplier approval, conditional approval and disapproval
Running the Supplier Corrective Action Request process, leading containment, root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action through to closure
Setting and driving supplier quality KPIs, and presenting performance at management review
Flowing customer and federal programme requirements ECJU, UK Dual-Use List, DEFCON and DCC and Cyber Essentials) down to suppliers and verifying compliance, and contributing to the supplier quality roadmap for new product introduction
Requirements:
You will bring around eight years or more of supplier quality, manufacturing or manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment, along with a degree in engineering or another technical discipline. You will have extensive experience of supplier failure analysis, root cause analysis and corrective action, and of putting robust process controls in place across a supply chain. You weigh several sources of data and alternative solutions before committing to a path.
You will know Quality Management Systems such as AS9100 and the ISO quality management standard, quality tools such as Six Sigma and 8D, and ERP and MRP systems, ideally Oracle NetSuite. You communicate clearly with suppliers, senior management and non-technical colleagues, and you work self-directed, setting your own approach on new assignments and managing several priorities in a fast-paced environment.
You’d be a great fit with:
Experience thriving in a rapidly changing, fast-scaling start-up environment
Working knowledge of industry standards such as ANSI, ASTM, AS9100 and AS9102, and of ECJU, UK Dual-Use List, DEFCON and DCC and Cyber Essentials requirements as they apply to suppliers
Experience with complex optical, electrical or mechanical products in high-technology manufacturing
Working knowledge of reliability engineering, ESD, calibration and preventive maintenance in a supplier context
Experience leading cross-functional and supplier teams through systematic improvement, including compliance data collection and sharing with tools such as Power BI
Experience and knowledge of environmental, health & safety management systems, such as ISO 14001, and achieving business certifications.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, particularly in interacting with external suppliers and senior management, including the ability to explain data requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Benefits
Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.
We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.
Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
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