Senior Scientist, Inertial

About the team

Q-CTRL's Quantum Sensing Research team performs basic and applied research in quantum sensing and quantum-enabled navigation. It is a highly dynamic team comprising approximately 30 specialists in theoretical and experimental atomic physics, cold-atom interferometry, navigation modelling, and modern Bayesian estimation and signal processing techniques. 

The Quantum Sensing Research and Quantum Sensing Engineering teams work closely together, translating novel quantum sensing research into a useful capability and product. We are focussed on pushing the boundary of what is possible in quantum sensing and ensuring our R&D has real-world impact.

About the role

We are seeking a new Senior Scientist to help improve the calibration, noise measurement, signal extraction, and validation procedures of Q-CTRL's quantum inertial sensors for the use in GPS-denied or contested environments. You will work closely with experts in quantum sensing to deliver novel navigation capabilities that solve pressing challenges in maritime and aeronautical positioning and navigation.

A key focus of the role will be developing and implementing methods for the extraction of useful real world outputs and performance metrics of our sensors while in the field, as well as the calibration and noise characterisation of these sensors. You will be operating in the crossover of ultra precise next generation quantum sensors and classical inertial navigation systems, pushing these to their limit to extract signals of value from real world systems.

The test and validation procedures, performance metrics and signal processing algorithms you develop will inform the continued improvement of our quantum sensors and their deployment for a given navigation end-user or application.

• Perform essential research and development into novel quantum control solutions and sensor fusion algorithms to enhance the performance of real-world quantum sensors (including atom interferometers and magnetometers).
• Analyse sensor performance in realistic environments, and measure, characterise and calibrate noise metrics for performance enhancement.
• Work closely with our quantum control engineers, experimental physicists, and sensor hardware specialists to deploy your developed test and validation procedures on real quantum sensor hardware.
• Collaborate with your colleagues in the Quantum Sensing (Inertial) Team, the Quantum Sensing Division, and the company more broadly.
• Share your insights into sensor test, characterization, calibration and validation with the broader Quantum Sensing Division, company, external stakeholders and customers through verbal presentations and written outlets (e.g. academic publications, technical reports, blog posts).
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

• A PhD in Physics, Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in the theory, calibration, optimisation, testing and validation of inertial sensors and inertial navigation systems
• Experience with atom interferometry, Cold and/or ultracold atomic systems, Quantum sensing in warm atomic vapours, Pulse-level optimisation and quantum control techniques
• Experience developing error budget, noise characterisation and sensor metrology
• Demonstrated ability to account for real world effects of sensor misalignment using coordinate systems transformations, scale factor and transfer function inversion and co-location limitations
• Finally, you will have a strong desire to work with a world leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry.

• Expertise with Python and Rust programming language for scientific computing.
• Experience designing, operating and testing inertial navigation system hardware and working closely with both theoretical and experimental teams.
• Demonstrated experience in improving sensor performance through careful calibration and noise/error measurements

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, 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- domain. All our active job postings are available on our company website.

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