Staff Technical Program Manager

About the Role and Team

We are seeking a Staff Technical Program Manager to lead the planning and execution of complex technical projects that advance our current and next-generation spacecraft. You will lead cross-functional engineering teams and manage program execution across scope, schedule, budget, and risk, ensuring alignment with technical requirements and business priorities.

You will partner closely with engineering leads and stakeholders to translate program objectives into actionable plans, resolve dependencies, and drive delivery. This role requires strong technical judgment, independent ownership, and experience delivering hardware development programs in the aerospace domain.

You will also contribute to improving program management practices and share knowledge with other program managers and team members, supporting a culture of accountability and collaboration. This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven team and make a direct impact on key company initiatives.

What we're looking for

• Experience leading complex spacecraft, subsystem, or aerospace hardware development programs across lifecycle phases such as design, qualification, production, and delivery.
• Proven ability to manage multiple related projects aligned with established business and technical priorities, driving clarity, accountability, and measurable progress.
• Experience managing program budgets, including labor forecasting, materials procurement, and subcontractor coordination.
• Ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable work plans and manage dependencies across engineering disciplines, suppliers, and supporting functions.
• Highly self-directed and adaptable, with the ability to independently drive execution and escalate issues requiring broader decisions.
• Ability to assess resource constraints and recommend prioritization and tradeoffs based on program objectives, schedule, and business impact.
• Strong problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills, with a proactive approach to identifying critical-path activities, risks, and opportunities to improve execution.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority, support team accountability, and share effective program management practices.
• Familiarity with project management frameworks such as Waterfall, Agile, and Scrum, and the ability to apply approaches appropriate to program needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate program status, risks, and decisions to technical teams, leadership, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in technical program management, engineering program execution, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, systems, or a related technical discipline.
• Proficiency in project management tools and collaboration platforms such as MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, and Confluence.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical development and/or R&D scope, including schedules, budgets, risks, and deliverables.
• Active Top Secret security clearance required. Because eligibility for a Top-Secret clearance is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. citizenship is required for this position.
• This position also requires access to information subject to U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR).

Pay and benefits

If this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range.

Wage Transparency

$152,000 - $190,000 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.

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!