---
title: 'Staff Embedded Software Engineer at Q-CTRL'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-embedded-software-engineer-q-ctrl-sydney-24dhbapw7cjk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-31'
---

# Staff Embedded Software Engineer at Q-CTRL

- **Company:** Q-CTRL
- **Location:** Sydney, Australia
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-31
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/q-ctrl/9fdb655f-6d02-44d6-8871-f28d18d2e253

## Job description

## About the team

The Sensing R&D 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 Ironstone 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.

Join Q-CTRL to help turn cutting-edge quantum sensing technology into robust, commercial products that operate in real-world environments. As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer in Sensing R&D, you will drive the technical direction and system architecture for the real-time embedded software, FPGA, and firmware stacks powering our next-generation quantum sensors and navigation platforms. Operating within our cross-functional R&D teams, you will help bridge hardware, firmware, and software interfaces to solve complex integration challenges. You will act as a key technical contributor - remaining close to hands-on execution. You do not need prior experience in quantum technology: we value exceptional engineering fundamentals, systems-thinking, and a drive to build scalable, field-ready products

What you’ll be doing:

- Drive Next-Gen Microcontroller Architecture: Lead the ground-up firmware architecture and implementation on microcontrollers, leveraging modern embedded frameworks (e.g., Rust Embassy) to deliver low-SWaP-C control systems for uncrewed platforms.
- System-Level Technical Ownership: Take architectural ownership of critical embedded software and FPGA interfaces across Sensing R&D, delivering solutions that balance performance, maintainability, and delivery timelines.
- Lead Embedded Commercial Upgrades: Architect firmware for platform integration, supporting real-time data capture, display interfaces, and high-reliability platform integrations.
- Design for High Reliability & Qualification: Define the long-term embedded software roadmap to mature quantum sensing platforms toward higher TRLs, establishing pathways toward flight safety qualification and compliance.
- Automated Testing & Quality: Drive continuous integration and automated testing in embedded environments; establish robust CI/CD pipelines, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and simulation workflows to maintain high delivery quality.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Work alongside Product Managers, Team Leads, and other technical contributors to align technical vision with product goals, evaluating trade-offs to ensure execution stays on track without compromising technical integrity.
- Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: Actively coach and mentor engineers across the department, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing to eliminate key-person dependencies.

Ideally you’ll have:

- Department-Level Architectural Leadership: 8+ years of hands-on embedded software engineering experience, with a proven track record of designing, delivering, and maintaining complex real-time systems.
- Rust & Modern Systems Programming: Expertise in Rust (specifically embedded Rust and async frameworks like Embassy) or modern C/C++ for bare-metal microcontrollers and RTOS environments.
- FPGA & SoC Integration: Practical experience with modern SoC architectures (e.g., Xilinx Zynq / Vivado workflows), combining FPGA logic with high-bandwidth DMA transfers, DSP pipelines, and processor subsystems.
- Pragmatic Systems Design: A strong track record of making sensible technical trade-offs—solving complex problems cleanly without over-engineering.
- Collaborative Mindset: Strong technical communication skills and a willingness to share knowledge, mentor peers, and engage in constructive design reviews.
- Communication Protocols & HIL: Deep knowledge of low-level hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, PCIe, Ethernet/TCP-IP) and hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.

It would be fantastic if you have these skills/experience but not essential:

- Familiarity with aerospace, defense, or high-reliability qualification standards (e.g., DO-160, DO-178C, or Safety of Flight / SOF qualification pathways).
- Hands-on exposure to precision optical, physical, or sensor-based hardware (e.g., precision temperature control, laser/optical drivers, or signal conditioning).
- Experience with SystemVerilog/VHDL logic design or cocotb verification workflows.
- Familiarity with Yocto, customized embedded Linux distributions, or kernel driver development.
- Experience with uncrewed vehicles (UAVs, UUVs), robotics, or dual-use defense technology.

## 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, Huntsville, 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.

## About Q-CTRL

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Q-CTRL builds AI-powered infrastructure software to make quantum technology useful today, delivering performance gains in quantum computing and quantum sensing for enterprise, government, and defense.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately held; $133M total funding across 12 rounds, including seed and venture rounds)
- **Headquarters**: Sydney, Australia
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Quantum technology infrastructure software, AI-for-quantum, quantum computing and quantum sensing
- **Target customers**: Enterprise and government organizations, data center and HPC providers, defense and aerospace, learners and researchers (B2B, B2G)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “We make quantum technology useful” – bridging the gap between quantum hardware and real-world applications through AI-driven control software.

## Products & Services
- **Boulder Opal**: AI-powered quantum computing infrastructure software that provides error suppression, automated calibration, performance management, and compilation tools to maximize qubit utility.
- **Ironstone Opal**: Quantum sensing solutions for GPS-denied navigation, delivering the first true quantum advantage in real-world navigation scenarios.
- **Educational & Workforce Tools**: Interactive learning platforms and professional toolkits for students, researchers, and hardware teams to upskill and accelerate quantum adoption.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $5M (LinkedIn estimate); total funding of $133M (as of latest rounds)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Horizons Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, DCVC, HSG, IQT (led various rounds)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 176 employees (+36.7% YoY); LinkedIn followers 30,064 (+40.3% yearly); global expansion to six offices (Sydney, Santa Monica, Huntsville, Oxford, San Francisco, Berlin); multiple open positions across engineering, research, product, and sales.

## Competitive Advantages
- Unique AI-for-quantum approach that directly addresses hardware error and instability – the toughest problems in quantum technology.
- Proven world records in quantum computer performance and first demonstration of quantum advantage in GPS-free navigation.
- Deep expertise in quantum control, compilation, and error correction, combined with proprietary infrastructure software that no competitor replicates.
- Strong government and defense relationships, with solutions tailored for the most demanding environments.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale adoption of quantum computing and sensing across enterprise and government by making the technology useful today.
- Continue to invest in AI-driven automation and compilation to lower barriers for non-experts.
- Expand into data center and HPC integration, providing pre-validated architectures for seamless quantum utility.
- Grow workforce and global footprint to meet increasing demand from defense, aerospace, and research sectors.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture highlights**: Multidisciplinary teams united by curiosity and ambition; collaborative environment focused on real-world impact; strong emphasis on personal development and career growth.
- **Remote/hybrid/office policy**: Hybrid model (e.g., roles in Los Angeles, San Francisco listed as hybrid); flexible workplace policies; offices in six cities across three continents.
- **Notable perks**: Highly competitive, innovative, and inclusive benefits; comprehensive personal development programs; streamlined interview process with technical discussions and cross-functional collaboration.
- **Engineering culture**: Work on cutting-edge quantum control, AI, and infrastructure software; teams span engineering, research, product, and design.
- **Employer rating**: 4.6/5.0 on LinkedIn (15 reviews), with 4.9 for work-life balance and culture, 4.6 for compensation, 4.7 for career opportunities.

## Sources
1. [q-ctrl.com](https://q-ctrl.com/) – Company overview and product descriptions
2. [q-ctrl.com/careers](https://q-ctrl.com/careers) – Careers page, culture, interview process, locations
3. [q-ctrl.com/about](https://q-ctrl.com/about) – About page, AI-for-quantum focus
4. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/q-ctrl) – Open positions (Senior Software Engineer, Scientist, etc.)
5. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/q-ctrl) – Company details, revenue, funding, headcount, reviews

## Other roles at Q-CTRL

- [Security Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/security-engineer-q-ctrl-sydney-j1wqh1nct9z0) — Sydney, Australia
- [Production Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/production-technician-q-ctrl-sydney-ge5ystyqqtkw) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Systems Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-technician-q-ctrl-sydney-ys9g35p9fh4x) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Talent Acquisition](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-strategic-sourcing-specialist-talent-acquisition-q-ctrl-los-angeles-r0sbftd1nne7) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Magnetometry)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-quantum-sensing-magnetometry-q-ctrl-sydney-8a7j4g15sca5) — Sydney, Australia
- [Product Manager - Quantum Sensing](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-quantum-sensing-q-ctrl-sydney-pd7stsf5k98n) — Sydney, Australia
- [Director of US Government Engagement](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-us-government-engagement-q-ctrl-washington-raqqdx0q8fx9) — Washington, DC
- [Staff Research Scientist — Quantum Algorithms & Fault-Tolerant Applications](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-research-scientist-quantum-algorithms-fault-tolerant-applications-q-ctrl-6nb5s7jyk4g9) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Modeling and Control)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-quantum-sensing-modeling-and-control-q-ctrl-sydney-qhh5h4xt93fq) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Cloud Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cloud-platform-engineer-q-ctrl-los-angeles-94rsh6dmsjb3) — Los Angeles, CA