Senior RF Engineer

Senior RF Engineer

The Sensing Engineering 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 Ironestone 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.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior RF Engineer to join the Hardware team within the Quantum Sensing division at our laboratories in Sydney, Australia. This role will support development of new quantum sensor prototypes by developing custom microwave/RF electronics and antenna systems. Reporting to the Lead Engineer (Hardware), the Senior RF Engineer will contribute to our rapidly growing efforts to deploy software-ruggedised quantum gravimeters, accelerometers, and magnetometers.

What you'll be doing:

• You will 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.
• Responsible for developing custom RF & microwave electronics for quantum sensor prototypes.
• Designing miniaturised RF electronics subsystems based on demonstrated bench-top prototypes.
• Modelling and simulating microwave/RF signal transmission in order to optimise system performance.
• Designing, optimising, and fabricating microwave systems that couple to quantum sensors.
• Ensure electronics systems are ruggedised for operation in the field.
• You will manage the delivery of complex hardware prototypes, taking responsibility for the technical quality, performance, and reliability of the hardware.
• As an individual contributor, you will be the domain expert for RF electronics and systems.
• As a senior member of the Sensing Hardware team, you will be leading and mentoring hardware engineers and technicians.

Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

• A Bachelors, Masters or PhD in Physics, Engineering or equivalent industry experience.
• A demonstrated track-record of developing circuit boards operating at RF/microwave frequencies.
• R&D experience working concurrently with scientists and engineers.
• Relevant CAD software/design experience is desirable but not essential.
• Experience modelling microwave transmission using HFSS, CST studio or similar is desirable.
• A strong desire to work with a world leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry.

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, 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!