Director of US Government Engagement

About the team At Q-CTRL, the Government Engagement team works at the intersection of policy, international engagement, and national security to influence how governments govern and fund the development and adoption of quantum technologies. As trusted and respected leaders in the sector, we build enduring relationships with politicians, policymakers, and defense forces around the world to secure opportunities for Q-CTRL to deliver cutting-edge sovereign capability. We empower all areas of the business to understand and navigate government decision-making.
About the role
Reporting to the Global Head of Government Engagement, you’ll lead Q-CTRL’s US government engagement activities, working closely with our business development, technical, product, and marketing teams. You’ll shape policy and funding initiatives, build trusted relationships, and secure opportunities for Q-CTRL to partner commercially and strategically with government to deliver quantum computing and quantum sensing capabilities that advance US defense and economic interests.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop and execute Q-CTRL’s US government engagement strategy, setting clear priorities for policy, legislative, and funding outcomes that support our growth and the adoption of quantum technologies.
• Build and maintain trusted, bipartisan relationships with congressional offices and committees, the Department of War, federal agencies and state governments.
• Serve as a trusted representative of company interests in political and policy forums, including engagements supporting business development with the USG.
• Shape policy, legislation, and funding decisions through targeted advocacy, including developing proposals for authorization and appropriations processes and building support among key decision-makers.
• Work closely with business development and technical colleagues to identify, assess, and secure government funding and partnership opportunities, connecting Q-CTRL’s capabilities with government priorities and mission needs.
• Monitor and anticipate policy, legislative, budget, and regulatory developments, translating them into timely advice and recommended actions for company leadership.
• Represent Q-CTRL in industry associations, think tanks, and policy forums, building coalitions that advance shared priorities and establish Q-CTRL as a trusted voice on quantum technology.
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

• 7+ years of relevant experience in government, congressional affairs, public policy, or government relations, for example as a congressional staffer, government official, military officer, or lobbyist.
• A demonstrated track record of shaping government decisions, with tangible achievements in policy development, legislation, or public funding.
• A strong understanding of US federal policymaking and the legislative, authorization, appropriations, and agency budget processes, including when and how to engage effectively.
• An established network across Capitol Hill, the executive branch, key federal departments, and the ability to build trusted relationships across political affiliations and institutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex technical information into clear, persuasive arguments tailored to government audiences.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work across business functions to raise Q-CTRL’s profile and secure commercial opportunities.

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

• Experience working with the Department of War and congressional defense committees, including familiarity with defense budgets, acquisition pathways, and the transition of emerging technologies into operational use.
• Experience working in a technology startup or scaleup, particularly in a role connecting government engagement with commercial growth.
• Experience in the advanced technology, defense, or aerospace sectors.
• Experience shaping policy or funding for quantum or other critical technologies, such as AI, semiconductors, space, or advanced sensing.
• Experience with state government engagement, economic development initiatives, and allied technology cooperation through frameworks such as AUKUS. We take a multidisciplinary approach to quantum computing research, bringing together experts from diverse fields. We particularly value versatile and self-motivated problem solvers. If you are passionate about making quantum computers useful, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above.   Salary The targeted base salary range for this position is between $210,000 - $260,000 and will ultimately be determined by specific job-related skills, experience, level, location and other contributing factors. This role will be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and the opportunity to equity and other forms of compensation outside of the targeted base salary range.    This position is eligible for Q-CTRL's U.S. health insurance benefits, subject to plan eligibility requirements, as well as HSA, FSA, PTO, Company paid parental leave, 401k with an employer match, and a Learning, Development and Wellness allowance. For more information on benefits at Q-CTRL, please visit our careers page at https://q-ctrl.com/careers.   Should you have any questions related to the compensation package, please speak directly with the Talent Acquisition representative.
  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!