Purchasing Specialist

About IonQ:

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

Vector Atomic, an IonQ company, is building quantum technology to transform navigation, timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. Our team of engineers, scientists, software developers, and operations professionals works together to solve complex challenges and turn bold ideas into real-world solutions. We value collaboration, curiosity, and diverse perspectives, and we give every team member the opportunity to make an immediate impact while growing their skills. If you're excited to work on breakthrough technology in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Location:Pleasanton, California (Bay Area)
Travel: Up to 5%, domestic or international.

The Role:
We're looking for a detail-oriented and proactive individual with strong communication skills, to grow with us. As a Purchasing Specialist, you will be a key contributor to our procurement function, supporting the materials and components essential to our manufacturing efforts. You will collaborate closely with engineers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to ensure we maintain the right materials, in the right quantities at the right time. If you’re excited to support transformational technologies in a fast paced, collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

• Work effectively in a government contractor R&D and Manufacturing environment supporting technical staff in furtherance of customer objectives
• Create, issue, and update Purchase Orders (POs) in CostPoint. Maintain master purchasing data (lead times, pricing, MOQs, order multiples, and statuses)
• Order Tracking & Follow-Up: Track open POs, verify vendor confirmations, update delivery schedules, and resolve discrepancies regarding late orders, shortages, or invoice pricing
• Risk & Inventory Visibility: Maintain an open PO tracker, proactively communicate changes in supplier availability or lead times, and escalate potential material shortages impacting production
• Ensure each procurement satisfies the needs of the requisitioner, customer contractual requirements, and Vector Atomic policies and procedures
• Generate and issue purchase orders to vendors for specialized products and goods, ensuring proper authorization, approval routing, and supporting documentation in accordance with SOX segregation-of-duties and approval-authority controls
• Conduct competitive bids and source selections, and document price/cost analysis, determination of fair and reasonable pricing
• Verify prospective vendors are evaluated and approved, and maintain current documentation supporting vendor responsibility determinations
• Support government property, government-furnished material (GFM/GFE)per FAR Part 45 and the company property management system
• Coordinate with Accounting to ensure purchases are coded to the correct project, direct/indirect accounts, and unallowable cost categories, supporting DCAA auditability and the annual incurred cost submission
• Maintain procurement records, audit trails, and documentation sufficient to support DCAA audits, government property audits, and SOX control testing
• Support continuous improvement of procurement processes, internal-control documentation, and ERP system data integrity
• Process material RMA’s with vendor and systematically.  Support QA with out of spec material disposition

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, procurement, supply chain, or a related field; 4 years of experience in a similar procurement capacity (additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)
• Working understanding of internal controls over financial reporting, including segregation of duties, approval authority, and documentation/audit trails
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and ability to meet deadlines
• Software proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Adobe Acrobat, and major internet browsers; ability to quickly learn new software tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive self-starter, detail-oriented, critical and analytical thinking
• To comply with U.S. export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e., green card holders), or certain categories of refugees and asylees

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Deltek Costpoint or similar ERP systems in a project-based environment
• Government contracting or procurement experience with demonstrated success interpreting and complying with U.S. Government procurement and property regulations, including clause flow-downs
• Familiarity with DCAA-compliant procurement and documentation practices, including support for incurred cost submissions and audits
• Exposure to government property management / GFM-GFE tracking and related audit expectations
• Familiarity with DFARS specialty contracting areas (e.g., prohibited telecommunications, counterfeit electronic parts, domestic preference/Buy American)
• Basic accounting skills, including coding to direct/indirect and unallowable cost accounts
• Experience supporting SOX controls in a procurement function

Benefits

Vector Atomic values teamwork, open and honest discourse, and work-life balance. We offer competitive compensation and benefits including:

• Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off & 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Fully stocked kitchen

Pay Range

The approximate base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $120,000 per year. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity and benefits.  It's atypical to be hired at the top end of this range for the role, as actual pay is based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience level.

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.

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.