Chief Architect - Optical Communication TerminalsNew

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Chief Architect to join our team. This position reports directly to Skyloom's VP of Engineering as a member of the Engineering & Operations leadership team.

The Chief Architect will possess expertise in optical systems, optical communication technologies, and the development of optical communication solutions, preferably for laser communications and optical inter-satellite links (OISLs). This position is a key role in designing, simulating, and optimizing optical systems for high-performance laser communication networks for space-based systems. This role interfaces closely with the production, quality, and supply chain teams delivering a hardware design that is capable of cost-effective mass production.

Chief Architect with Free Space Optical Communication Terminal Expertise

As a Chief Architect, you will design, implement, and optimize free-space optical communication terminals across government and commercial customers. You will analyze and improve system performance metrics-such as wavefront error, SNR, and BER-while contributing to innovation in areas like atmospheric turbulence mitigation, adaptive optics, and laser propagation.

This role also offers leadership opportunities, including guiding projects, collaborating across disciplines, and contributing to R&D shaping next-generation OCT products., * Lead engineering activities for an optical communications payload from concept through launch

• Define, analyze, and validate system and subsystem requirements for space environments
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop integrated communication solutions, focusing on system architecture, performance, and reliability.
• Derive quantified requirements for optical communication terminals using analytical techniques, numerical modeling, and bench-top testing.
• Conduct hardware/software validation of optical communication systems and subsystems
• Provide technical support for integration and troubleshooting of optical systems and develop root cause analysis for products exhibiting non-conformances in the optics subsystem.
• Analyze large amounts of laboratory data for validation and improvement purposes.
• Provide clear and rigorous presentations/reports on the subjects listed above, effectively communicating with a broad range of cross-functional teams.

Communication & Teamwork Skills

• Own critical design review processes, ensuring quality, completeness, and compliance
• Lead system-level test planning, verification, and compliance analysis
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (RF, software, FPGA, integration, quality, operations)
• Present program updates and technical solutions to internal/external stakeholders
• Mentor and support team members within a collaborative engineering environment
• Possess excellent communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly and efficiently across a range of subject areas, engaging with management, peers, and suppliers.
• Organize and deliver assigned projects independently according to the project schedule.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for working on multiple projects simultaneously in a self-directed manner, thriving in a fast-paced, multi-cultural startup environment.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Optical Communications engineer with strong analytical skills and hands-on free space optical communication expertise., * 10+ years of experience in Free Space Optical communication systems. Proven experience in optical system design, modeling, and validation.

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Practical experience with fiber optic and free-space optics laboratory setups
• Familiarity with relevant communication standards and coding techniques
• Strong understanding of wavefront errors, SNR, BER, and link budgets
• Exhibit strong analytical skills for building models and solving complex problems.
• Experience with optical simulation/modelling tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, MATLAB, Python)
• Knowledge of adaptive optics, beam steering, and pointing error impacts
• Team player with strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge in the development of space optical instruments, especially in the field of telescopes, spectrometers, and interferometers within an industrial or scientific environment.
• Strong quantitative data analysis abilities using tools such as Matlab, Python, or equivalent.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Preferred Experience

• Space-flight industry experience
• Laser Safety knowledge
• Experience transitioning an optical product into production
• Spanish speaking is a plus

Pulled from the full job description

• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Unlimited paid time off
• Paid holidays, The approximate base salary range for this position is $167,808 - $219,704. The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits.

Benefits will be provided by Skyloom, Inc., an IonQ Company, and will differ from the benefits listed on the IonQ website.

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 401K, 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.

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. About Skyloom Skyloom, an IonQ company, is a telecommunications company founded with the mission to develop, deploy, and operate one of the fundamental pieces of tomorrow's space communication infrastructure to provide data transport services on a planetary scale. If you have a strong sense of purpose, focus, urgency, and willingness to compete-or if working on space lasers excites you-join our team to develop the future generation of space communication technology. Location: This role will be based at our Broomfield, Colorado, office, with the option to work a few days a week remotely.