[Hiring] Associate General Counsel, Transactions @IonQ

Role Description

We are seeking a senior attorney to lead our Transactions function, reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel and Chief IP Counsel. This role will help build and scale a transactions practice supporting development, partnerships, supply chain, commercial, and government engagements. The successful candidate will be an accomplished attorney who thrives in high-intensity, business-driven environments and can serve as both a trusted subject-matter expert and practice leader.

Responsibilities

• Lead agreement drafting and negotiations on business-critical transactions with complex IP, technology, business, and regulatory issues.
• Develop agreement templates, negotiation standards, playbooks, processes, and risk frameworks that support consistently high-quality work while enabling the business to move quickly and appropriately manage legal and commercial risk.
• Partner cross-functionally on company-wide initiatives to standardize the deal process, from initial discussions through contract signing.
• Partner with legal subject-matter experts to ensure contract templates and positions are regularly updated to reflect current company objectives and legal obligations.
• Act as an embedded member of the business teams, building trust by providing timely guidance, helpful education, and practical, commercially oriented counsel.
• Manage and prioritize a high-volume, fast-moving transactional workload in an intense, deadline-driven environment.
• Provide objective and consistent oversight of transactional work performed by other transactional attorneys, accounting for workload allocation, prioritization, and ongoing training.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex or high-value transactions and help drive matters to resolution.

Qualifications

• J.D. and admission in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 10+ years of experience negotiating complex commercial contracts, including significant in-house experience at fast-paced, mid- to large-sized companies.
• Significant experience handling complex technology and commercial transactions in a sophisticated corporate or law firm environment.
• Strong transactional judgment and the ability to operate effectively in a high-intensity, sales-driven business environment.
• Exceptional relationship-building and client management skills, with the ability to establish credibility and trust with demanding business stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to understand business objectives and translate them into practical legal solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to structure and improve legal functions, workflows, and processes.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with a high degree of accountability for managing competing demands and ensuring work is appropriately allocated.
• A capacity to think big, bias for action, and willingness to take ownership of complex matters and broader functional initiatives.
• A growth mindset focused on continuous operational improvement, efficiency, and service excellence.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and issue-spotting skills.
• Ability to balance speed and commercial objectives with sound legal judgment and risk management.
• Comfortable operating with significant autonomy and ambiguity.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Matching 401(k).
• Unlimited PTO and paid holidays.
• Parental/adoption leave.
• Legal insurance.
• Home technology stipend.

Wage Transparency

$188,000 - $282,000 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.

Company Description

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.