Director, Real Estate

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.  

Role:

IonQ's physical footprint is expanding quickly as our quantum computing business scales, across offices, research and development laboratories, manufacturing and data centre space. We are looking for an experienced real estate leader to build and run a global real estate programme that keeps pace with that growth: finding and securing the right sites, negotiating the deals and keeping a growing multi-site portfolio running efficiently.

This is a hands-on leadership role that blends strategy with execution, from market analysis and site selection through lease negotiation, acquisition and project delivery for highly specialised laboratory and manufacturing space. You will report to the VP, Tax, Real Estate & Facilities and act as the real estate subject matter expert for internal stakeholders and executive leadership.

Responsibilities:

You will evolve and execute a global real estate strategy aligned with IonQ's growth, manufacturing, research and customer deployment goals. That means analysing market trends and recommending investments, expansions, consolidations, relocations or dispositions across offices, laboratories, manufacturing and data centre space, and making sure space is used efficiently as the company scales.

You will oversee a growing portfolio of owned and leased properties across the US and international markets, including College Park, Bothell, Boulder and Chattanooga. You will keep accurate records of leases, property data, critical dates and renewals, manage real estate budgets, forecasts and capital expenditure plans, and track return on investment, occupancy cost and portfolio performance to drive savings.

You will work closely with Construction, Facilities, Design, Legal, Finance, EHS, Operations and HR to close transactions, plan space and stand up new sites, and you will manage relationships with landlords, brokers, developers and vendors.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead site selection using market, talent, infrastructure, demographic and financial analysis, including power, vibration, cleanroom and security needs.
• Identify and negotiate acquisitions, build to suit and development opportunities for laboratory, manufacturing and corporate facilities.
• Lead due diligence, financial modelling and feasibility analysis for specialised quantum and semiconductor adjacent space.
• Lead lease negotiations, including new leases, renewals, expansions, terminations and amendments, and make sure obligations are met on time.
• Drive project management of all real estate projects, delivering build outs and laboratory fit outs on time, within budget and technically ready.

Requirements:

You will have at least ten years of progressive experience in corporate real estate, laboratory or manufacturing real estate, or technology or industrial portfolio management, with a track record of supporting a multi-location portfolio. A degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering or a related field is expected, and an MBA or other relevant advanced degree is an advantage.

You will have negotiated complex leases, renewals, purchase agreements and terminations, and you will understand real estate law, zoning, entitlement, due diligence and development processes, particularly for specialised laboratory, manufacturing and data centre environments. You will bring strong financial judgement, with experience evaluating feasibility, return on investment, capital requirements and portfolio performance.

You will be a confident leader who coaches and develops a team, holds it accountable for results, and communicates recommendations clearly to senior and executive leadership.

You’d be a great fit with:

• Strong site selection expertise across market, talent, infrastructure, competitive and financial analysis.
• Experience managing landlord, broker, developer and other external partner relationships.
• A portfolio optimisation mindset, with a record of finding value through relocations, renewals and dispositions.
• Experience leading cross-functional work with Construction, Facilities, Legal, Finance, EHS and Operations to open and expand sites on time.
• Proficiency with real estate technology and analytical tools such as CoStar, Argus, MRI or comparable platforms.

The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.

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!