Senior Systems Technician Hardware

Frontdoor Defense; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility

Equity potential

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Q-CTRL in Sydney is seeking a Senior Systems Technician to lead integration and testing of quantum sensor prototypes for aerospace and defence applications. You’ll work with engineers to assemble subsystems spanning electronics, optics, mechanics, and software, and help validate complete systems in lab and field environments.

The ideal candidate has hands-on electro-mechanical assembly experience, strong bench skills, and a track record in R&D or mission-critical industries, with willingness to

Qualifications

• Diploma/associate degree in electronics, mechatronics, avionics or related field.
• Hands-on electro-mechanical assembly and test experience at senior level.
• Experience in Aerospace R&D environments with scientists and engineers.
• Proficiency with soldering (through-hole and SMT) and cable harness fabrication.
• Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Support development, integration, assembly and testing of quantum sensing prototypes for Aerospace, Defence, and other applications.
• Assemble, wire and troubleshoot prototype systems including PCBAs and lab rigs.
• Perform integration, environmental and functional testing with appropriate equipment.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to integrate components into complex sensor systems.
• Support field trials and flight testing, including logistics and on-site setup.

Skills

Soldering

Electrical testing

System integration

Troubleshooting

Field testing

Travel readiness

Education

Electronics diploma/associate degree

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

Spectrum analyzers

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Senior Systems Technician

Lead integration and testing of quantum sensor prototypes for aerospace and defence applications in Sydney

Location: Sydney, New South Wales

About The Role

Senior Systems Technician

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.

We are seeking a Senior Systems Technician to join the Sensing Research and Development division at our facilities in Sydney, Australia. This role supports the test, development and deployment of new quantum sensor prototypes and products, contributing to our growing efforts to deliver software-ruggedised quantum gravimeters, accelerometers, and magnetometers for GPS-denied navigation applications.

As a Senior Systems Technician, you will provide hands-on expertise across electronic, mechanical, and system-level assembly, testing, and troubleshooting. You will work closely with engineers and scientists to build and integrate subsystems spanning electronics, optics, mechanics, and software, and help validate complete systems in both lab and field environments.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished technician with extensive experience in R&D environments, as well as aerospace or other mission-critical industries. You will need to exhibit strong practical engineering skills, and the ability to adapt quickly between the bench, integration lab, and field trials. You will play a key role in preparing systems for testing and deployment, and in ensuring every build meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and documentation.

Reporting to the Team Lead (Test and Deployment Sydney), you may also mentor junior technicians and contribute to the continuous improvement of our laboratory practices.

What you'll be doing:

• Supporting the development, integration, assembly and testing of quantum sensing prototypes for Aerospace, Defence, and other applications.
• Assembling, wiring, and troubleshooting prototype systems, including PCBAs, cable harnesses, opto-mechanical components and laboratory test rigs.
• Performing integration, environmental and functional testing using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, dataloggers, power supplies, and other equipment.
• Collaborating with engineers and scientists across disciplines to integrate electronic and mechanical components into complex quantum sensor systems, resolving integration issues and ensuring subsystems work together reliably.
• Supporting flight and field trials, including equipment preparation, logistics, and on-site setup, operation, and troubleshooting.
• The role will involve intermittent domestic and international travel, which may amount to several months per year to support field activities.
• Assisting with test planning and data collection, documenting configurations, results, and anomalies for reproducibility and traceability.
• Documenting builds, testing, wiring diagrams, and lab test procedures to ensure reproducibility and quality.
• Supplier liaison and procurement for prototype builds.
• 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 diploma, associate degree, or equivalent industry qualification in electronics, mechatronics, avionics, or a related field. Aerospace/Avionics industry recognised qualifications will be highly regarded.
• A demonstrated track-record of hands-on electro-mechanical assembly and test at a Senior level.
• Aerospace R&D experience working concurrently with scientists and engineers.
• Strong practical skills in soldering (through-hole and fine-pitch SMT), cable harness fabrication, and prototype assembly. Industry recognised standards such as IPC will be highly regarded.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and experience working with a variety of stakeholders including technical, commercial, and operational staff including external partners and customers.
• Familiarity with system integration, instrumentation, and environmental testing
• Ability to interpret schematics, mechanical drawings, and wiring diagrams, and to identify and resolve system-level issues.
• Proficiency with test and measurement tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience supporting field trials and flight testing, sometimes autonomously, and readiness to travel for short deployments as needed.
• Experience supporting the transition from lab prototypes toward manufacturable designs is desirable, though not essential.
• Knowledge of quality systems, documentation, and configuration management practices for reproducible builds.
• A strong desire to work with a world-leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry.

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!