Staff Embedded Software Engineer at Q-CTRL, Sydney. A lead-level full time position in the Sensing R&D; team, listed under software engineering.

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

Responsibilities

- 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.

Nice to 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 robust 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.
- 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).

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📌 Staff Embedded Software Engineer (Sydney)
🏢 Q-Ctrl
📍 Sydney