Executive Chief Technology Officer, Defense (Remote Considered)

Ainabl; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive compensation

Full benefits package

Equity opportunities

Job summary

A leading quantum technology firm is seeking an exceptional Executive Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to own the technical vision and roadmap of cutting-edge quantum networking hardware. This role involves leading a high-caliber quantum engineering team and ensuring robust performance across quantum metrics. Ideal candidates will have extensive quantum hardware experience and a strong technical leadership background. This position offers competitive compensation and the chance to shape the future of defense communications with a focus on mission-critical technologies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in quantum hardware development with experience in trapped-ion, superconducting, or photonic quantum systems.
• Proven track record of advancing quantum hardware from TRL 4 → TRL 9.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required due to ITAR regulations.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end system performance across quantum hardware metrics.
• Lead architecture evolution of trapped-ion control and scaling subsystems.
• Manage technical risk and vendor partnerships in quantum R&D.

Skills

Quantum hardware development

Technical leadership

Quantum error correction

Active TS/SCI clearance

Education

PhD in Physics, Quantum Engineering, EE, or related field

Job description

Executive Chief Technology Officer, Defense (Remote Considered)

Ainabl is delivering the world’s first airborne-qualified, revenue-generating quantum-secure networking systems for next-generation defense platforms (JADC2, NGAD, FCAS, Tempest). We are seeking an exceptional Executive Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to own the complete technical vision, architecture, and execution roadmap of our trapped-ion quantum networking hardware stack through TRL 9 and cumulative revenue by 2030.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead an elite quantum engineering organization scaling from 10 logical qubits (qNIC-200) to 100+ logical qubits by 2030 (qNIC-1000), while maintaining the industry’s only airborne-qualified form factor.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end system performance: logical qubit count, key refresh latency, jam resistance, error rates, SWaP-C, and environmental qualification (DO-160G/H, MIL-STD-810H)

Lead architecture evolution of trapped-ion control, error correction, real-time decoding (FPGA → ASIC), cryogenics, and modular scaling subsystems

Direct a world-class quantum engineering team (PhDs, FPGA/ASIC designers, systems engineers) across integration sites

Serve as the primary technical authority to strategic customers (e.g., Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Dassault, BAE, Thales) and government stakeholders (Sandia, DARPA, ONR, DGA)

Drive certification, radiation-hardening, and ITAR/CMMC compliance for airborne and space variants

Manage technical risk, CapEx allocation (R&D 2026–2030), and vendor partnerships (e.g., Oxford Instruments, Bluefors, Airbus DS, etc.)

Co-author patent portfolio and represent Ainabl Quantum at classified and public technical forums

Requirements

Qualifications

PhD in Physics, Quantum Engineering, EE, or related field

10+ years in quantum hardware development with direct trapped-ion, superconducting, or photonic quantum systems experience

Proven track record taking quantum hardware from TRL 4 → TRL 9, ideally in defense or aerospace environments

Multiple issued patents and first-author publications in fault-tolerant quantum computing or quantum communication

Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance strongly preferred (mandatory within 12 months)

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required (ITAR)

Preferred Skills

Former technical leadership at Quantinuum, IonQ, PsiQuantum, Rigetti, or equivalent national lab/program (LANL, Sandia, MIT Lincoln Lab, DARPA)

Deep expertise in quantum error correction (surface codes, cat states, bosonic codes, real-time decoding)

Hands‑on experience with airborne qualification (DO-160, MIL-STD) or radiation-hardened electronics

Prior success shipping revenue-generating quantum or crypto hardware to defense primes

Experience scaling from 10 to 100+ logical qubits with constrained SWaP

Why Join Ainabl?

Be the technical co‑founder of the only company delivering revenue‑ready, airborne quantum-secure networking today

Work on the most mission‑critical quantum defense programs on the planet with global impact

Competitive executive compensation ($250–$350K base + 4–7% equity) and full benefits package

Collaborate with industry leading executives, and world‑class trapped‑ion physicists in an intense, high‑trust culture

Shape the future of quantum-secure battlespace communications and drive a significant outcome

Recruitment Process

Application Review: Shortlisted candidates contacted within 5 business days

Initial Interview: 45‑minute virtual call with CEO

Technical Deep‑Dive: 2‑hour presentation + whiteboard session with quantum leadership team

Hybrid Interviews: On‑site and Virtual Participants

Reference & Security Clearance Verification

Offer: Verbal offer within 3 days of final interview; start target December 2025 – January 2026

About the Company

At Ainabl, we forge quantum-secure hardware that delivers unbreakable communications for defense at the edge. We are the only team shipping airborne‑qualified, fault‑tolerant quantum networking systems today. If you have built and shipped mission‑critical quantum hardware under DARPA, ONR, or DGA scrutiny and are ready to own the technical destiny of the defining quantum defense & systems company of the decade, this is your opportunity.

Additional Information

Location: Boston, MA, USA (Hybrid – regular presence required in Cambridge, MA / other hubs, and sites; remote considered for exceptional candidates).

This role involves access to ITAR-controlled and classified information; U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency required