Software Engineer, Quantum Sensing

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 Software Engineer to develop applications on our Linux control platform for our quantum accelerometers and magnetometers in order to optimize sensor performance online, execute navigation and map-matching algorithms, efficiently log and process operational data, interface with Q-CTRL’s cloud services, and generally assist with scientific exploration in the field of quantum sensing. You’ll work closely with research scientists who are developing sensing and navigation algorithms to produce robust and computationally efficient implementations suitable for deployment on mobile platforms (e.g. ships, planes, drones) operating in real-world environments. As the maturity of our quantum sensing technology increases you’ll drive a culture of software development best practices, testing, and release management to ensure Q-CTRL’s quantum sensing teams are delivering the highest quality software possible.

You will join a growing team focused on quantum sensing for defence and aerospace, and work with experts in fields such as cold-atom interferometry, magnetometry, and inertial navigation to develop state-of-the-art technology.

What you'll be doing: :
• Own the development, integration, and support of software applications employed in Q-CTRL’s quantum sensors and auxiliary hardware.
• Be responsible for the design, implementation, and testing of software applications used in the optimization of next generation quantum sensing, navigation, and map-matching technology.
• Integrate our quantum sensing solutions with Q-CTRL’s cloud services.
• Work in cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers to solve novel issues in research & development and product-focused environments.
• Work on critical quantum sensing field trials with key industry partners.
• Own and improve continuous integration systems and software testing infrastructure.
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have: :
• Experience working in a research environment whilst collaborating with established engineering teams and research scientists.
• Experience in writing numerical software or algorithm development, with an emphasis on inertial navigation, state estimation, data fusion, or optimization.
• Proficiency with a systems programming language such as C, C++, or Rust.
• Proficiency in using Python tools and packages for data processing.
• Experience setting up and maintaining continuous integration systems.
• Demonstrated leadership in driving software development best practices in engineering teams.

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.