Develop quantum magnetometers for various applications, collaborate with engineering teams, improve sensor performance, and engage with academic and industry partners.
About the team
The Sensing Engineering team at Q-CTRL transforms quantum research into deployable technologies that address real-world problems. We design, build, and field-validate an array of quantum sensors that support our key products, including Ironestone Opal - our solution for GPS-denied navigation.
You don’t need a background in quantum to make an impact here. We value strong engineering fundamentals, a product mindset, and a drive to solve the hardest engineering problems in quantum sensing today.
About the role
We are seeking a Senior Scientist to develop quantum magnetometers that are performant, autonomous, and which can operate reliably in harsh fielded environments. You will work closely with experts in quantum sensing to design, develop, test, and characterise new state-of-the-art magnetometers and auxiliary hardware that will solve pressing challenges in aeronautical positioning and navigation, geophysical surveying, and magnetic anomaly detection. A key focus of the role will be to develop mitigation strategies for the adverse effects that prohibit optimal sensor operation in such scenarios.
What you'll be doing:
- Be part of an established and growing team focused on quantum sensing for a variety of industry sectors such as aerospace, defence, geophysical exploration and Earth observation.
- In collaboration with the Research Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering teams, develop state-of-the-art quantum magnetometry and auxiliary hardware based on cutting-edge technology that is compatible with miniaturisation, flight qualification, and field deployment in harsh environments.
- Design, develop, test, and characterise sensor design modifications to improve fielded sensor performance.
- Work closely with technical leadership in organising and executing our internal hardware and capability development programmes (e.g. organising and executing field trials of our hardware).
- Liaise as needed with our academic and industry partners in order to perform the aforementioned duties and support new business and product development.
- Share your insights and our results with the broader Quantum Sensing division, company, external stakeholders, and customers through verbal presentations and written outlets (e.g. academic publications, technical reports, blog posts).
- Other duties within the Employee’s skills and experience, and/or with reasonable training.
Ideally you'll have:
- A PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in atomic, molecular, and optical physics or a closely related discipline;
- Experience working with hardware akin to that found in quantum sensors (e.g. lasers, optics, electro-optical systems, alkali metals);
- Experience in atomic sensor design, construction, operation, and characterisation;
- Proficiency in Python programming for numerical simulations, data logging, and analysis; and
- Experience communicating technical results to a wide and varied audience
It would be fantastic if you have these skills/experience but not essential:
- Experience with quantum magnetometers using alkali vapour cells (e.g. FID, NMOR, SERF, etc)
- Experience deploying quantum sensors in field trials
- Experience working in an interdisciplinary context with R&D scientists and engineers
About Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL is the global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software. We build the tools that make quantum technology useful, solving the hardest challenges in quantum computing and quantum sensing to deliver real-world impact.
Founded in 2017, we operate globally with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berlin, and Oxford. Our teams bring together technical and multi-disciplinary expertise across the product lifecycle, and we’re hiring talent to help scale every part of the business. We work quickly to turn cutting-edge science into deployable technology.
In 2024 we raised US$113 million in Series B funding, the largest aggregate investment for a quantum software company. Six months later we delivered the first commercial quantum advantage with Ironstone Opal, our field-validated quantum navigation solution for defense and industry.
At Q-CTRL, we prioritize outcomes over hours. We offer flexibility, equity potential, and competitive benefits that reflect our high-performance culture. If you’re ready to help shape the future of quantum, we’d love to hear from you!
Please be advised that our communications will only come from the @q-ctrl.com domain. All our active job postings are available on our company website.
To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Top Skills
Electro-Optical Systems
Lasers
Optics
Python
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