Technical Programme Manager - QPU

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.

Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real-world impact.

What You'll Do...
You will own the programme execution for silicon device development within our quantum computing roadmap, translating complex technical work into clear plans, measurable milestones, and predictable delivery. This role sits at the centre of a cross-functional environment; working day-to-day with physicists and engineers, and partnering closely with external suppliers and internal stakeholders; to ensure work progresses with pace, clarity, and high attention to detail.

You’ll create and run the operating rhythm that keeps teams aligned and leaders informed: building delivery plans, tracking dependencies, surfacing risks early, and producing decision-ready reporting that senior stakeholders can trust. When priorities shift or technical issues emerge, you’ll drive structure into ambiguity; clarifying scope, coordinating trade-offs, and pushing problems to resolution while continuously improving how we execute across the hardware lifecycle.

• Lead silicon device development programmes (or workstreams), owning scope, schedule, resources, budget, dependencies, and stakeholder alignment using best-practice PM tools.
• Drive cross-functional execution across physics, engineering, and partner teams; identify blockers early and take issues to closure with robust risk mitigation and contingency planning.
• Partner with device designers, physicists, and engineers to ensure designs are feasible, buildable, and aligned to programme milestones and deliverables.
• Establish programme cadences and executive reporting (dashboards, status, decision logs), ensuring senior leaders have accurate, timely, decision-ready information.
• Support continuous improvement of engineering workflows across the hardware lifecycle; travel up to 20% to support on-site collaboration in College Park, MD or Bothell, WA, and at partner sites as needed.

What you'll bring...

We’re looking for a technically fluent Technical Programme Manager who can bring structure, pace, and precision to complex silicon device programmes. You’ll be comfortable operating in a highly technical environment, working closely with physicists and engineers, while also translating progress, risks, and trade-offs into clear, executive-ready reporting for senior stakeholders. You’ll thrive in ambiguity, build trust quickly, and create the delivery rhythm that keeps multiple workstreams moving across sites and time zones.

This is a role for someone with genuine hardware programme experience and a sharp analytical mindset. You can spot inconsistencies, interrogate data, and turn messy reality into an accurate plan, a credible forecast, and a practical set of next actions. You do not just coordinate. You drive outcomes, unblock teams, and raise the bar on how programmes are run.

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field. Advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years’ experience as a Technical Program or Programme Manager delivering complex hardware programmes, ideally in chip design, silicon devices, or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills, able to align technical and non-technical stakeholders and drive decisions through competing priorities.
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving ability and confidence managing risk, dependencies, and changing scope in fast-moving environments.
• Comfortable with modern programme tooling and ways of working, for example Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, and GitHub, and motivated by the mission and pace of quantum computing.

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.