# Quantum Engineer (Ion Trap) at Conductor Quantum

- Company: Conductor Quantum (YC S24)
- What the company does: AI that operates quantum computers for scientific discovery. Backed by Y Combinator.
- Company website: https://www.conductorquantum.com
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Mid level
- Location: San Francisco, CA, US
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $120K to $180K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-08-02
- Apply by: 2026-10-08
- Apply: https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/conductor-quantum/jobs/eV4F5ew-quantum-engineer-ion-trap
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/conductor-quantum-quantum-engineer-ion-trap/

## About the role

You will work across the full trapped ion stack: from developing the calibration that makes an ion trap run itself, all the way to hosting it online as a platform that human researchers and AI agents can build on. This is a high-impact, high-ownership role. You will define best practices, influence product strategy, and help lay the foundation for Conductor Quantum's culture and growth.

## What they're looking for

- Get fluent in the calibration software stack and understand how it maps to trapped ion hardware
- Develop your first calibration sequence end to end, from ion loading to two-qubit gate fidelity
- Sit with customers and partners to see where the platform breaks down for them. Pick the friction point that annoys you most
- Develop a full calibration cycle end to end, from an empty trap to two-qubit gates
- Ship your first contribution to the automated calibration routines. Start with cooling, single-qubit gates, or Mølmer-Sørensen two-qubit gates
- Fix the friction point you found in your first month, and propose the highest leverage things the team can do in trapped ions

Tags: Engineering