Lead Navigation Scientist, Quantum Sensing

About us

Founded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum control infrastructure software. As a product-led company, we bring together diverse teams such as product, design, engineering and research to help achieve our mission of making quantum technology useful. We believe that working in deep tech domains like quantum provides an opportunity to upskill whilst applying existing knowledge and practices to new markets.

As one of the fastest growing companies in the quantum sector, we’ve had a number of key milestones:

- In October 2024, we announced our record breaking expansion of our Series B funding round to USD $113M, with $59M USD of new capital.

- In November 2023, we announced an industry-first partnership with IBM Quantum Services, natively integrating our performance management software with all IBM quantum computers.  Building off of this relationship, in September 2024 we started offering two services via IBM’s new Qiskit Functions Catalog as an inaugural partner.

- Designed and moved our Global HQ offices and lab space into the first purpose-built (and award winning) commercial and research facility for a quantum technology company in Australia.

- Grew our global presence in Los Angeles and Berlin, and expansion into the UK, recently opening up a new office in Oxford.

- Continued to deliver real world outcomes across the quantum sectors, with our work with Australian Defence on software-ruggedized quantum sensing for navigation without GPS, as featured in the New York Times.

From educating the workforce on how quantum computing works, and building the next generation of quantum sensors, to delivering massive performance gains for end-users, it all starts with hiring the right talent. If you want to help us build the Quantum future, read on.

About the role

We are seeking a new Lead Navigation Scientist to lead a technical team focussed on improving navigation performance in GPS-denied or contested environments by making the best use of information provided by Q-CTRL’s quantum sensors. You will work closely with experts in quantum sensing to deliver novel navigation capabilities that solve pressing challenges in maritime and aeronautical positioning and navigation.

A key focus of the role will be developing and implementing methods for removing magnetic and/or vibrational noise induced by the platform on which the quantum sensor is mounted. The algorithms, signal processing, and data analytics developed by you and your team will inform the design, build, and operation of our quantum sensors for a given navigation end-user or application.

• 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.
• Develop platform and environmental noise compensation techniques that enable high quality magnetic and gravity-aided navigation.
• Use data analytics to translate quantum sensor data streams into capabilities that solve pressing challenges for current and prospective end-users and customers.
• Fostering a high-performing and cohesive team culture by mentoring technical contributors and encouraging knowledge sharing.
• Develop, document, and review high-quality software using Python.
• Share your insights and 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).
• Liaise as needed with our academic and industry partners in order to perform the above duties and support new business and product development.

• A PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in physics, geophysics, engineering, data science, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience performing data analysis, algorithmic development, and/or signal processing in one or more of the following areas: magnetic and/or gravitational anomaly detection; airborne magnetic and/or gravitational surveying; magnetic navigation; magnetic signature and/or platform motional characterisation and management; magnetic and/or vibrational signal denoising; quantum sensing and/or other sensing technologies.
• Experience communicating technical results to a wide and varied audience.
• Finally, you will have a strong desire to work with a world leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry.

• Experience working in an interdisciplinary context with R&D scientists and engineers.
• Proven experience leading technical teams within a startup, scaleup, and/or academic. environment in the area of quantum sensing, sensing technologies, or navigation.
• Experience in end-to-end data product development.
• Familiarity with the Python programming language for scientific computing.
• Familiarity with quantum and/or atomic physics at an undergraduate level.

Why Q-CTRL?

Flexibility: We embrace workplace flexibility so you worry more about your global impact vs a rigid work schedule.

Attractive salary: You’ll get to live the start-up life without start-up wages.

Equity: We want people to have a sense of ownership in what they do and offer the potential for equity share and annual bonuses.

Resources: We are well funded by the world’s best technology investors, letting us chase our ambitions with minimal constraints.

Parental support: We offer paid parental leave to support you and your loved ones!

Diversity: We’re an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity, inclusion and providing equal opportunities to all, actively supporting initiatives like the ‘Global Women in Quantum’ program among others. 

Unique culture: You’ll be surrounded by some of the world’s leading physicists, engineers, product, marketing and design people (to name a few!) with a strong desire to learn and transfer knowledge.

Meaningful values: You’ll work with an incredibly supportive team who work consistently to deliver our core values to be real, be trusted, be just and to be revered. 

Personal development: We provide you with a personal development and wellness budget. 

Impactful work: Last but not least! You’ll have the opportunity to work in the world’s leading field of technology and truly make an impact that matters! 

Q-CTRL is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. We are committed to being inclusive in the way we hire. We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements mentioned in the job posting. 

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.