Staff Embedded Software Engineer

About the role

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.