Staff Embedded Software Engineer Software

Frontdoor Defense; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity potential

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Q-CTRL is hiring a Staff Embedded Software Engineer in Sensing R&D to own the embedded firmware architecture for next-gen quantum sensors and navigation platforms. Location is Sydney, NSW, Australia, with a focus on real-time embedded software, FPGA interfaces, and robust, field-ready products.

You will drive architectural direction across microcontrollers, RTOS, and FPGA integrations, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-reliability systems.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on embedded software engineering experience.
• Rust (embedded Rust) and async frameworks like Embassy, or modern C/C++ for bare-metal MCUs/RTOS.
• Practical experience with modern SoC architectures (Xilinx Zynq); FPGA integration with high-bandwidth DMA, DSP pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Drive Next-Gen Microcontroller Architecture: lead firmware architecture and implementation on microcontrollers with modern embedded frameworks.
• System-Level Technical Ownership: own embedded software and FPGA interfaces across Sensing R&D; balance performance and delivery timelines.
• Lead Embedded Commercial Upgrades: architect firmware for platform integration, real-time data capture, and display interfaces.
• Design for High Reliability & Qualification: define roadmaps toward higher TRLs and flight safety qualification.
• Automated Testing & Quality: drive CI/CD, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and simulation workflows.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: align technical vision with product goals with Product Managers and Team Leads.
• Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: coach engineers and promote knowledge sharing.

Skills

Embedded software engineering

Rust embedded

C/C++

FPGA/SoC integration

Systems design

Team collaboration

HIL testing

Tools

Xilinx Zynq

Vivado

Job description

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Define and own the embedded firmware architecture for next-gen quantum sensors and navigation platforms

Location: Sydney, New South Wales

About The Role

Staff Embedded Software Engineer In Sensing R&D

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 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!