Hardware Integration Engineer

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 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

At Q-CTRL, we’re developing navigation and quantum sensing technologies for real-world environments. We’re looking for a Hardware Integration Engineer to own the mechanical and electrical integration of our sensing and navigation systems onto UAS platforms, preparing them for lab, field, and flight deployment.

You’ll work closely with systems, software, and hardware engineers across the US and globally to integrate, bring up, debug, and modify systems across mechanical and electrical domains. As our platforms mature, you’ll also help improve integration practices, documentation, and repeatability while supporting defense and aerospace programs at the intersection of hardware, software, and field operations.

What you’ll be doing:

• Own the mechanical and electrical integration of Q-CTRL sensors and auxiliary hardware onto UAS platforms, delivering reliable, flight-ready systems.
• Develop and implement integration-specific mechanical and electrical components as required, including brackets, fixtures, cabling, and interface hardware.
• Build and bring-up integrated hardware systems and execute bench, environmental, and functional testing.
• Work closely with systems and software engineers to implement defined interfaces and ensure subsystems operate together reliably.
• The role will involve intermittent domestic and international travel and regular communication across time zones.
• Plan and document integration builds, test configurations, results, and anomalies to support traceability and repeatability.
• Liaise with suppliers and support procurement activities for prototype builds.
• Assist maintaining equipment, consumables, and safe laboratory practices.
• Other duties within the Employee’s skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you’ll have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Proven hands-on experience integrating complex electro-mechanical systems in aerospace, UAS, robotics, or advanced R&D environments.
• Strong practical skills in prototype assembly, wiring, harness fabrication, electro-mechanical build and rework.
• Experience developing mechanical and electrical components using a variety of CAD tools.
• Proficiency with tools, testing, measurement equipment, fabrication, and experience with rapid prototyping.
• Experience collaborating with systems and software teams on integration requirements.
• Exposure to low-level embedded software or driver development, and the ability to support or oversee minor driver modifications where required is advantageous but not essential.
• Comfort working autonomously in lab and field environments to support flight testing activities.
• Experience supporting field trials or flight testing is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with documentation, configuration management, and quality practices that support reproducible builds. This position may require access to information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be 'U.S. persons' as defined in 22 CFR §120.62
  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.