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Director, Channel - Space Solutions

ionq • Remote, US


No Relocation

Posted: September 30, 2026

Job Description

Location: Remote, U.S.
Travel: Up to 50%, domestic and international. 
Job ID:
1904

The Role: 

IonQ is hiring a Channel Sales Leader to build and scale the indirect route to market for its space portfolio including Capella Data as a Service (DaaS) and satellite systems, Skyloom optical communications terminals and crosslink solutions, and the broader space solutions offering. You will recruit, enable, and grow a global ecosystem of resellers, distributors, value-added analytics providers, systems integrators, primes, and in-country partners, and carry a channel-sourced revenue number. This is a builder's role for a leader who can stand up partner programs from early stage, run long-cycle capital and program-based pursuits through partners, and grow recurring data and capacity subscriptions at the same time.

Responsibilities:

  • Own an annual channel-sourced and channel-influenced revenue quota spanning Capella DaaS subscriptions and tasking capacity, satellite systems, Skyloom optical communications products, and the wider space solutions portfolio. 
  • Design and execute the global channel strategy: partner segmentation and tiering, coverage model by region and market, and the margin, discount, and deal-registration framework that governs it. 
  • Recruit, onboard, and develop partners — resellers, distributors, value-added analytics and application providers, systems integrators, defense primes, and international in-country representatives. 
  • Own joint business plans with each strategic partner: co-selling motions, joint pipeline generation, marketing development funds, quarterly business reviews, and accountability to committed targets. 
  • Build partner enablement end to end — sales and technical training, certification paths, demo and evaluation assets, and pricing tools — in partnership with solutions engineering and product marketing. 
  • Support partner-led and teamed pursuits: RFIs, RFPs, and government solicitations, prime and subcontractor teaming strategies, and international distribution structures within export-control requirements. 
  • Forecast channel pipeline accurately in CRM and PRM, maintain disciplined pipeline hygiene, and administer clear rules of engagement to manage channel conflict with the direct sales team. 
  • Serve as the voice of the partner ecosystem to product, engineering, and mission solutions teams, and represent IonQ at industry, defense, and geospatial conferences and partner events.

Requirements:

  • 10+ years in enterprise sales with at least 4 years building or leading channel, partner, or indirect programs in geospatial data, earth observation, satellite communications, satellite systems, defense technology, or adjacent data/SaaS markets, with a consistent record of exceeding quota. 
  • Demonstrated success standing up a channel program in an early or emerging market — recruiting partners, defining program economics, and scaling partner-sourced revenue across both recurring data subscriptions and large capital or program-based hardware. 
  • Experience driving partner-led sales into U.S. government, defense, and intelligence customers as well as international markets, including familiarity with procurement vehicles, teaming arrangements, and export controls (ITAR/EAR). 
  • Command of a structured sales methodology (MEDDICC, Challenger, or similar) plus deal-registration, margin governance, and CRM/PRM forecast rigor. 
  • Ability to engage credibly with partner technical and mission stakeholders on remote sensing, SAR, optical communications and crosslinks, tasking, and data delivery workflows. 
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field; willingness to travel up to 50%, including international travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Direct experience building or managing a channel for SAR, optical imagery, or RF sensing data and analytics. 
  • Background in satellite systems, optical communications terminals, ground segment, or space mission integration. 
  • Experience in early market development or category creation for an emerging technology, including partner-led go-to-market. 
  • Active U.S. security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one. 
  • Established relationships across DoD, IC, allied international defense customers, and the global space and geospatial partner ecosystem. 

The expected OTE for this role is $300K.
The total compensation package includes base, commission, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

Additional Content

Location: Remote, U.S.
Travel: Up to 50%, domestic and international. 
Job ID:
1904

The Role: 

IonQ is hiring a Channel Sales Leader to build and scale the indirect route to market for its space portfolio including Capella Data as a Service (DaaS) and satellite systems, Skyloom optical communications terminals and crosslink solutions, and the broader space solutions offering. You will recruit, enable, and grow a global ecosystem of resellers, distributors, value-added analytics providers, systems integrators, primes, and in-country partners, and carry a channel-sourced revenue number. This is a builder's role for a leader who can stand up partner programs from early stage, run long-cycle capital and program-based pursuits through partners, and grow recurring data and capacity subscriptions at the same time.

Responsibilities:

  • Own an annual channel-sourced and channel-influenced revenue quota spanning Capella DaaS subscriptions and tasking capacity, satellite systems, Skyloom optical communications products, and the wider space solutions portfolio. 
  • Design and execute the global channel strategy: partner segmentation and tiering, coverage model by region and market, and the margin, discount, and deal-registration framework that governs it. 
  • Recruit, onboard, and develop partners — resellers, distributors, value-added analytics and application providers, systems integrators, defense primes, and international in-country representatives. 
  • Own joint business plans with each strategic partner: co-selling motions, joint pipeline generation, marketing development funds, quarterly business reviews, and accountability to committed targets. 
  • Build partner enablement end to end — sales and technical training, certification paths, demo and evaluation assets, and pricing tools — in partnership with solutions engineering and product marketing. 
  • Support partner-led and teamed pursuits: RFIs, RFPs, and government solicitations, prime and subcontractor teaming strategies, and international distribution structures within export-control requirements. 
  • Forecast channel pipeline accurately in CRM and PRM, maintain disciplined pipeline hygiene, and administer clear rules of engagement to manage channel conflict with the direct sales team. 
  • Serve as the voice of the partner ecosystem to product, engineering, and mission solutions teams, and represent IonQ at industry, defense, and geospatial conferences and partner events.

Requirements:

  • 10+ years in enterprise sales with at least 4 years building or leading channel, partner, or indirect programs in geospatial data, earth observation, satellite communications, satellite systems, defense technology, or adjacent data/SaaS markets, with a consistent record of exceeding quota. 
  • Demonstrated success standing up a channel program in an early or emerging market — recruiting partners, defining program economics, and scaling partner-sourced revenue across both recurring data subscriptions and large capital or program-based hardware. 
  • Experience driving partner-led sales into U.S. government, defense, and intelligence customers as well as international markets, including familiarity with procurement vehicles, teaming arrangements, and export controls (ITAR/EAR). 
  • Command of a structured sales methodology (MEDDICC, Challenger, or similar) plus deal-registration, margin governance, and CRM/PRM forecast rigor. 
  • Ability to engage credibly with partner technical and mission stakeholders on remote sensing, SAR, optical communications and crosslinks, tasking, and data delivery workflows. 
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field; willingness to travel up to 50%, including international travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Direct experience building or managing a channel for SAR, optical imagery, or RF sensing data and analytics. 
  • Background in satellite systems, optical communications terminals, ground segment, or space mission integration. 
  • Experience in early market development or category creation for an emerging technology, including partner-led go-to-market. 
  • Active U.S. security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one. 
  • Established relationships across DoD, IC, allied international defense customers, and the global space and geospatial partner ecosystem. 

The expected OTE for this role is $300K.
The total compensation package includes base, commission, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.