Hardware Integration Engineer

About the team The Sensing Engineering 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. About The role:

We are seeking a Hardware Integration Engineer to own the mechanical and electrical integration of Q-CTRL’s navigation and quantum sensing solutions onto UAS platforms, ensuring systems are correctly assembled, integrated, and ready for lab and field deployment.

You will collaborate with systems, software, hardware engineers across the US and HQ to integrate Q-CTRL sensors, controllers, auxiliary equipment, and other sensing systems onto operational platforms.

You will bring up integrated hardware systems in laboratory environments and support field and flight testing.

The role involves hands-on build, debug, and modification work across mechanical and electrical domains.

As Q-CTRL’s sensing platforms mature, you will contribute to improving integration practices, documentation, and repeatability to support more efficient testing, field operations, and eventual scaling.

You will join a growing global engineering team, working as part of a small US-based group supporting defense and aerospace programs, and operating at the intersection of software, hardware, 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.

The role will involve regular liaison and communication across time zones, in particular with engineering teams at HQ in Sydney.

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.

Contributing to continuous improvement of engineering practices, processes and tools

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, cable harness fabrication, and electro-mechanical build and rework.

Experience developing mechanical and electrical components using a variety of CAD toolsProficiency with tools, test and measurement equipment, basic fabrication, and experience with rapid prototyping

Experience working closely with systems and software engineers to implement defined interfaces and 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 operating autonomously in lab and field environments, including supporting time critical test and flight activities.

Experience supporting field trials or flight testing is highly desirable.

Familiarity with documentation, configuration management, and quality practices that support reproducible builds.