We hold the key to making quantum useful! Q-CTRL is a company with a deep start-up spirit with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles and Berlin. Our goal is to revolutionize the quantum future of technology by delivering transformational, real-life outcomes for the world’s most innovative and impactful industry. Simply put, we make quantum technology useful.  

We’re led by our values; to be real, be trusted, be just, and be revered. They guide us in everything we do - how we work together and how we shape the future of the quantum field. We want the best talent in the world to join our team - from operations, product, design and marketing through to quantum research.  So whether you’re a quantum expert or simply unsure where you fit into a business like ours, we want to hear from you!

The Quantum Sensing division unlocks new capabilities in using quantum technology for civilian and defence applications including navigation, geodesy, climate monitoring, geospatial intelligence, resource identification, security, surveillance, and communication.

This role is about making our quantum sensors work autonomously – from cold start to peak performance, in dynamical and unpredictable environments. The role is an exciting nexus between quantum sensing research and product development. Reporting to the Lead Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Accelerometry), the Staff Automation Scientist will coordinate the direction of our rapidly growing efforts to deploy software-ruggedised quantum gravimeters, accelerometers, and magnetometers in onboard applications, on both terrestrial and space-based platforms.

From defining the quantum sensing stack, to identifying cross-disciplinary opportunities to advance the automation of quantum technology, to driving milestone execution and everything in between, this influential role will help shape the immediate direction of quantum sensing R&D globally and maximise its impact across many sectors. Specifically:

- Stay abreast of global state-of-the-art and directions in fieldable quantum sensors, particularly embedded control systems, and control/communications protocols.

- Help define the quantum sensing ‘stack’ for a range of architectures, and identify where software-level innovation can improve sensor performance by mitigating hardware imperfections and environmental/platform noise.

- Work with the Product Manager, Quantum Sensing and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for the software solutions you develop to unlock new capabilities for other quantum technology hardware vendors and end users.

- Work with the Embedded Hardware, Software, and Systems Engineers and Quantum Sensing Scientists to design modular and extensible control software architectures for quantum sensors that can meet the challenges for operating quantum sensors in harsh environments (autonomous cold-start, tuneup, calibration, online optimisation).

- Work with the Quantum Sensing Modelling and Quantum Product Engineering teams to translate proof-of-concept demonstrations of sensor fusion, robust control, machine learning, and other algorithms into new fieldable capabilities for onboard quantum sensors.

- Work with members of the technical leadership team to define research questions, milestones, and deliverables in the area of quantum sensor control and automation.

- Work with other Quantum Sensing and Operations team members, and liase with funding agencies, partners, and customers to ensure timely delivery of the above.

- Provide inputs to help define the strategic priorities and objectives for both the Quantum Sensing Research and Product functions.