Senior Hardware Integration Engineer

Q-CTRL; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity potential

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Q-CTRL is hiring a Hardware Integration Engineer in Huntsville to own the mechanical and electrical integration of our sensing systems onto UAS platforms, preparing flight-ready hardware for lab, field, and flight deployment.

You will collaborate with systems, software, and hardware teams across the US and globally to bring up and test integrated systems, while improving repeatability, documentation, and integration practices for defense and aerospace programs.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience integrating electro‑mechanical systems in aerospace or UAS environments.
• Proven ability to assemble, wire, test, and troubleshoot hardware assemblies.
• Experience with CAD for mechanical layouts and interface drawings.
• Ability to plan integration builds, configurations, and traceability.
• Comfort traveling domestically and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical and electrical integration of sensors onto UAS platforms.
• Develop integration components, brackets, fixtures, and cabling as needed.
• Build and bring‑up integrated hardware systems and perform tests.
• Collaborate with systems and software teams to ensure interfaces work together.
• Document configurations, results, and anomalies for traceability.
• Coordinate with suppliers and support prototype procurement.
• Maintain equipment, consumables, and lab safety.
• Support flight testing activities with hands-on hardware support.

Skills

Hands-on hardware integration

Prototype assembly

Wiring and harness fabrication

System integration

CAD work with engineering drawings

Work autonomously in lab/field

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics

Tools

CAD software

Measurement equipment

Fabrication tools

Electrical harness fabrication tools

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 Ironestone Opal - our solution for GPS-denied navigation.

About The Role

At Q-CTRL, we’re developing navigation and quantum sensing technologies for real-world environments. We’re looking for a Hardware Integration Engineer to own the mechanical and electrical integration of our sensing and navigation systems onto UAS platforms, preparing them for lab, field, and flight deployment.

You’ll work closely with systems, software, and hardware engineers across the US and globally to integrate, bring up, debug, and modify systems across mechanical and electrical domains. As our platforms mature, you’ll also help improve integration practices, documentation, and repeatability while supporting defense and aerospace programs at the intersection of hardware, software, and field operations.

What you’ll be doing:

• Own the mechanical and electrical integration of Q-CTRL sensors and auxiliary hardware onto UAS platforms, delivering reliable, flight-ready systems
• Develop and implement integration‑specific mechanical and electrical components as required, including brackets, fixtures, cabling, and interface hardware
• Build and bring‑up integrated hardware systems and execute bench, environmental, and functional testing
• Work closely with systems and software engineers to implement defined interfaces and ensure subsystems operate together reliably
• The role will involve intermittent domestic and international travel and regular communication across time zones
• Plan and document integration builds, test configurations, results, and anomalies to support traceability and repeatability
• Liaise with suppliers and support procurement activities for prototype builds
• Assist 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 Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
• Proven hands‑on experience integrating complex electro‑mechanical systems in aerospace, UAS, robotics, or advanced R&D environments
• Strong practical skills in prototype assembly, wiring, harness fabrication, electro‑mechanical build and rework
• Experience developing mechanical and electrical components using a variety of CAD tools
• Proficiency with tools, testing, measurement equipment, fabrication, and experience with rapid prototyping
• Experience collaborating with systems and software teams on integration requirements
• Exposure to low‑level embedded software or driver development, and the ability to support or oversee minor driver modifications where required is advantageous but not essential
• Comfort working autonomously in lab and field environments to support flight testing activities
• Experience supporting field trials or flight testing is highly desirable
• Familiarity with documentation, configuration management, and quality practices that support reproducible builds

This position may require access to information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be 'U.S. persons' as defined in 22 CFR 120.62.

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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.