IonQ, a leader in ion trap quantum computing, has announced its plans to open the first manufacturing plant specialized in producing quantum computers in Seattle, United States.
IonQ’s expanding R&D and manufacturing team will be based in the new building as they continue to develop technologies to fulfil ongoing client demand. The new manufacturing facility will support creating of world-class trapped-ion quantum systems while meeting the increasing demands for quantum computing in commercial applications.
“IonQ making the decision to open the first ever quantum computing manufacturing facility in the country right here in Bothell is a very big deal—and it’s great news for Washington state. Opening this facility will absolutely help ensure Washington state continues to be a leader in innovation and cutting-edge technologies—but it also means jobs that will be an investment in our families and their futures. These are the kinds of investments that happen when we pass legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act to invest in American manufacturing and build the economy of the future right here at home.”
Senator Murray
The site will contain IonQ’s second quantum data centre and be the company’s principal North American production engineering location. Over the next few years, IonQ intends to create thousands of new employment opportunities in the region.
The 65,000-square-foot facility is in Bothell, Washington, a Seattle suburb home to area tech and pharma companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Panasonic, and Seattle Genetics, as well as academic institutions such as the University of Washington.
“This exciting announcement further underscores Washington as a cutting-edge global technology and innovation hub. Quantum computing is going to play a pivotal role in many aspects of technology in the 21st century. Our community’s unique tech infrastructure and skilled workforce make opportunities like this possible. I look forward to welcoming IonQ’s expansion to Bothell and the Pacific Northwest.”
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
The opening of a new office in the Pacific Northwest is the latest in a string of events for IonQ. In the year 2022, IonQ and the U.S. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) of the Department of Energy stated that their public-private cooperation had resulted in a sustainable and resilient supply of barium qubits for IonQ’s next generation of barium-based quantum computers.
Dr Dave Mehuys, IonQ Vice President of Product Engineering, who joined IonQ in March 2022 from a top leadership post at Psiquantum, will oversee the construction of the new facility. Dr Mehuys, who has over two decades of expertise managing systems hardware engineering, module component engineering, customer support, and manufacturing operations, will be instrumental in IonQ’s growth in the region.
“Dave has held a number of technical leadership and executive roles at scientific, telecom networking, and quantum computing companies, and we know he will be of tremendous value to the IonQ team as we work to scale operations and further commercialize quantum computers. Dave’s experience in manufacturing will greatly benefit our work throughout the PNW, and his ability to lead as well as mentor multi-disciplinary teams makes him an excellent fit for this new position.”
Peter Chapman, CEO and President of IonQ
IonQ’s quantum systems are offered on the region’s two largest cloud platforms, Amazon Braket and Azure Quantum. With 25 #AQ, IonQ Ariabe became the world’s most potent known quantum computer last year. Airbus, GE, Dow Chemistry, Hyundai Motors, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, and the University of Maryland have all recently announced corporate and federal contracts.
“Advanced technologies like quantum computing are key to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges such as climate change, energy, and transportation. The Seattle region has been a hub of tech innovation and manufacturing for decades, and has the skilled workforce we need to design, build and manufacture our quantum computers. As we planned our expansion, the Seattle area was an ideal option for our new facility. We’re excited to be among the other innovative companies who call Seattle home, many of which are IonQ partners and customers.”
Peter Chapman, CEO and President of IonQ
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