Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Airbus Ventures; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Q-CTRL is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer in Sensing R&D to lead the firmware architecture for real-time embedded software, FPGA, and firmware stacks powering next‑generation quantum sensors and navigation platforms. You will bridge hardware, firmware, and software interfaces within cross‑functional teams, driving architectural direction while remaining hands‑on.

You don’t need a background in quantum to make an impact; we value strong engineering fundamentals, systems thinking, and a

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on embedded software engineering experience.
• Rust and embedded Rust or C/C++ for bare-metal microcontrollers and RTOS.
• Experience with modern SoC architectures (e.g., Xilinx Zynq) and FPGA/DMA workflows.
• Strong track record of making pragmatic trade-offs in complex systems.
• Collaborative mindset with strong communication and mentoring skills.
• Deep knowledge of low-level hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, PCIe) and HIL testing.

Responsibilities

• Drive Next-Gen Microcontroller Architecture: lead firmware architecture and implement on microcontrollers using modern embedded frameworks to deliver low-SWaP control systems.
• System-Level Technical Ownership: own embedded software and FPGA interfaces across Sensing R&D, balancing performance and delivery timelines.
• Lead Embedded Commercial Upgrades: design firmware for platform integration, real-time data capture, displays, and high-reliability integrations.
• Design for High Reliability & Qualification: define roadmap toward higher TRLs and flight-safety qualification pathways.
• Automated Testing & Quality: drive CI/CD, HIL testing, and simulation workflows for robust delivery.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: align with Product Managers and teams to balance technical vision with product goals.
• Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: coach engineers and promote knowledge sharing.

Skills

Embedded systems leadership

Rust

C/C++

FPGA integration

RTOS

HIL testing

System architecture

Communication

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Yocto

Job description

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 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.

Join Q-CTRL to help turn cutting-edge quantum sensing technology into robust, commercial products that operate in real-world environments. As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer in Sensing R&D, you will drive the technical direction and system architecture for the real-time embedded software, FPGA, and firmware stacks powering our next-generation quantum sensors and navigation platforms.

Operating within our cross-functional R&D teams, you will help bridge hardware, firmware, and software interfaces to solve complex integration challenges. You will act as a key technical contributor - remaining close to hands-on execution.

You do not need prior experience in quantum technology: we value exceptional engineering fundamentals, systems-thinking, and a drive to build scalable, field-ready products

What you’ll be doing:

• Drive Next-Gen Microcontroller Architecture: Lead the ground-up firmware architecture and implementation on microcontrollers, leveraging modern embedded frameworks (e.g., Rust Embassy) to deliver low-SWaP-C control systems for uncrewed platforms.
• System-Level Technical Ownership: Take architectural ownership of critical embedded software and FPGA interfaces across Sensing R&D, delivering solutions that balance performance, maintainability, and delivery timelines.
• Lead Embedded Commercial Upgrades: Architect firmware for platform integration, supporting real-time data capture, display interfaces, and high-reliability platform integrations.
• Design for High Reliability & Qualification: Define the long-term embedded software roadmap to mature quantum sensing platforms toward higher TRLs, establishing pathways toward flight safety qualification and compliance.
• Automated Testing & Quality: Drive continuous integration and automated testing in embedded environments; establish robust CI/CD pipelines, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and simulation workflows to maintain high delivery quality.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work alongside Product Managers, Team Leads, and other technical contributors to align technical vision with product goals, evaluating trade-offs to ensure execution stays on track without compromising technical integrity.
• Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: Actively coach and mentor engineers across the department, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing to eliminate key-person dependencies.

Ideally you’ll have:

• Department-Level Architectural Leadership: 8+ years of hands‑on embedded software engineering experience, with a proven track record of designing, delivering, and maintaining complex real-time systems.
• Rust & Modern Systems Programming: Expertise in Rust (specifically embedded Rust and async frameworks like Embassy) or modern C/C++ for bare‑metal microcontrollers and RTOS environments.
• FPGA & SoC Integration: Practical experience with modern SoC architectures (e.g., Xilinx Zynq / Vivado workflows), combining FPGA logic with high‑bandwidth DMA transfers, DSP pipelines, and processor subsystems.
• Pragmatic Systems Design: A strong track record of making sensible technical trade‑offs—solving complex problems cleanly without over‑engineering.
• Collaborative Mindset: Strong technical communication skills and a willingness to share knowledge, mentor peers, and engage in constructive design reviews.
• Communication Protocols & HIL: Deep knowledge of low‑level hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, PCIe, Ethernet/TCP‑IP) and hands‑on experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.

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

• Familiarity with aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability qualification standards (e.g., DO-160, DO-178C, or Safety of Flight / SOF qualification pathways).
• Hands‑on exposure to precision optical, physical, or sensor‑based hardware (e.g., precision temperature control, laser/optical drivers, or signal conditioning).
• Experience with SystemVerilog/VHDL logic design or cocotb verification workflows.
• Familiarity with Yocto, customized embedded Linux distributions, or kernel driver development.
• Experience with uncrewed vehicles (UAVs, UUVs), robotics, or dual‑use defense technology.

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 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.