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 role is based at our Oxford, England (UK) office, with the option to work a few days a week remotely.
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID: 1765
Role:
We are looking for a Analogue Designer, CMOS Modelling to join our Cryo-CMOS IC team at IonQ based in our Oxford office. In this role, you will be responsible for owning full-chip mixed-signal CMOS modelling as a first-class part of our Cryo-CMOS development flow. This includes building the behavioural model of the chip that the whole team will simulate against, allowing the team to design, verify and validate the integrated circuits that control our quantum processors - the novel technology that sits at the very heart of our world-leading quantum computers. You will enable the team to work in conditions from room temperature down to a few kelvin. This work will allow the team to meet our research and development goals, contributing directly to our ability to deliver on our technological milestones.
In this role you’ll play an important part in shaping the modelling methodology, standards and sign-off criteria that support our work in building the world’s most advanced quantum systems.
Responsibilities:
In this position, you will work on deriving behavioural models from first-principles mathematics to support the delivery of cryo-CMOS ASICS for our trapped-ion quantum processors. You will implement these models in Verliog-A, Verliog-AMS and real-number models, and correlate these against schematic and measured silicon. You will have the opportunity to set modelling standards across the whole team, raising the bar of quality so models can be used to inform and drive tapeout decisions. In turn this will raise the modelling capability of the engineers around you, contributing directly to the success of IonQ's quantum computing roadmap.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own the full-chip modelling strategy, including model architecture, abstraction levels, accuracy targets and sign-off criteria, and implementing across the whole IC development flow
- Develop Verilog-A and Verilog-AMS models of analogue blocks (references, DACs, switches, regulators, clock distribution) and assemble them into a simulatable full chip
- Build real-number models (SystemVerilog nettype/UDN, legacy wreal) so the full chip runs in digital verification and regression at speed
- Derive models from mathematics, for example turn a transfer function, a Z-parameter network description or a MATLAB analysis into robust, convergent Verilog-A with well-behaved tolerances
- Define and run model-versus-schematic correlation, to keep models in sync with design releases, and feed measured silicon behaviour, back into the flow
- Stand up mixed-signal co-simulation and regression (Cadence AMS Designer, Xcelium with Spectre); contribute to block-level design reviews and mentor engineers on modelling craft
Requirements:
To be successful, you will need 10+ years of deep analogue and mixed-signal design and modelling experience. Ideally this include working with models used in production tapeout flows. You will also have experience with expert Verilog-A and Verilog-AMS and strong real-number modelling. We’re looking for someone who can derive a model from equations and implement these end to end. You should also be able to judge what to model and at what fidelity, and align with the wider team on what a model does and does not promise.
You’d be a great fit with:
- Strong mathematical foundations, including experience with linear systems, Laplace and z-domain analysis, network (Z-) parameters, noise and non-linearity
- Fluency in a production Cadence flow, such as working with simulation environments like Virtuoso, Spectre, Xcelium and AMS Designer or similar
- Experience working with SystemVerilog, MATLAB or Python/NumPy for analysis and model validation
- Extreme-environment silicon experience such as, cryogenics and space
You should be able to work along designers, verification and system engineers and contribute effectively within a fast moving, highly technical team.
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 purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!