Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Magnetometry)

About us

Founded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum. We’re using control to solve the hardest problems facing quantum technology, improving hardware performance and accelerating pathways to useful quantum computers and other technologies. 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. Join us to help shape the quantum future.

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

- 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.

- 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.

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

- Grew our global presence to include Los Angeles, Berlin, and Oxford - as well as the recently announced office in San Francisco.

From educating the workforce on how quantum computing works, to 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 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 Magnetometry and Automation teams, develop state-of-the-art quantum magnetometry and auxiliary hardware based on cutting-edge hardware 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.
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, 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.
• 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.

Why Q-CTRL?

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

Attractive salary: You’ll get to have the start-up impact without the 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.

Cash bonus: We recognize exceptional performance and impact by offering annual discretionary cash 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 opportunity employer and actively support initiatives like the ‘Global Women in Quantum’ program to help expand the quantum workforce.

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. 

Make a dent: Last but not least you’ll have the unique opportunity to help set the direction for this revolutionary technology and truly make an impact that matters!

Q-CTRL aims to bring together cross-functional teams from many different backgrounds to help achieve our goals - 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.