Production Technician

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.

About the Role

Q-CTRL is making quantum technology useful, developing advanced technologies that solve real-world problems. We are establishing a New Product Introduction (NPI) team to bridge the gap between research, development, and commercially viable products.
As an NPI Technician, you will be on the front lines of transforming our cutting-edge sensing technologies into robust, market-ready systems. As a founding member of this new team, you will not just follow established procedures—you will help define them from the ground up. Working side by side with engineering, research scientists, and the NPI Team Lead, you will help design our workspace, establish core assembly and test protocols, and build the repeatable processes needed to scale novel hardware from early prototypes into finished products.
In this role, you will assemble, integrate, characterize, and troubleshoot complex electrical, mechanical, and optical subsystems. Success means being comfortable with ambiguity and taking pride in building both the hardware and the operational baseline: identifying failure modes early, documenting workflows, refining tooling, and establishing the quality standards that will define our manufacturing readiness for years to come.

What you’ll be doing:

Hardware Assembly & System Integration: Build, configure, and modify complex prototypes, seamlessly integrating electrical, electronic, mechanical, and optical subsystems into complete quantum sensing products.
Testing & Hardware Characterization: Set up, calibrate, and operate test instrumentation to execute functional, performance, reliability, and environmental validation against defined criteria.
Diagnostics & Root-Cause Troubleshooting: Investigate integration defects, unexpected behaviors, and anomalies, collaborating with R&D engineers and scientists to isolate root causes and verify corrective actions.
Process Documentation & Configuration Tracking: Draft and refine work instructions, assembly guides, and test protocols while maintaining meticulous records of build configurations, test data, and modifications.
Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Feedback: Evaluate early-stage builds to identify assembly bottlenecks, suggesting practical design and tooling improvements to make scaling and production more robust.
Lab Infrastructure & Operations: Help stand up, organize, and maintain a safe, efficient NPI lab—building custom test fixtures, managing cabling, and ensuring equipment is prepped for testing, field trials, and demos.

Ideally you’ll have:

Hands-on Technical Background & Qualifications: Relevant technical qualifications (e.g., Certificate III/IV, Diploma, or trade background) or equivalent practical experience assembling, integrating, and maintaining complex electromechanical, optical, or instrumentation systems.
Proactive & Builder Mindset: A positive, self-driven attitude with an eagerness to learn novel technologies, embrace ambiguity, and take initiative to improve tools, workflows, and lab setups.
Data-Driven Diagnostic & Troubleshooting Skills: A methodical, evidence-based approach to investigating anomalies—using measured data and observations to identify root causes rather than relying on guesswork.
Test & Instrumentation Literacy: Practical experience operating standard lab tools (e.g., oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, DAQ systems) to run structured validation tests and accurately capture performance metrics.
Engineering Literacy & Quality Focus: Comfort interpreting schematics, wiring diagrams, and CAD drawings, backed by a commitment to maintaining meticulous build records and clear technical documentation.
Collaborative Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to partner effectively across engineering and research disciplines, knowing how to clearly articulate findings and when to escalate technical risks.

It would be fantastic if you have these skills/experience but not essential:

Specialised Optics or Photonics Experience: Familiarity working with optical setups, lasers, fiber optics, or precision mechanical alignment in a clean or controlled lab environment.
Rapid Prototyping & Fabrication Craft: Practical bench skills beyond standard assembly—such as high-reliability soldering (IPC standards), custom wiring harness fabrication, 3D printing, or light workshop machining.
Test Automation & Scripting Basics: Experience using Python, LabVIEW, or shell scripts to automate data collection, interface with lab instrumentation, or speed up repetitive test cycles.