Lab and Safety Manager

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 At our purpose-built Sydney laboratory, we deliver high-precision testing that drives quantum innovation. As we grow, we are creating a dedicated Lab and Safety Manager role to own lab operations, lab safety, and lab purchasing, so our scientists and engineers can focus on building world-leading quantum sensors and navigation systems. You will own our lab environment end-to-end, from our quantum sensing measurement labs and technician workbenches, to our workshop and assembly areas, and serve as our appointed Laboratory Safety Officer. You will report to on-site R&D leadership, with a functional line to our Sydney-based Operations team, who own the company-wide Work Health and Safety (WHS) Management System. What you'll be doing: Lab and facility operations - Own the lab environment: Coordinate and encourage good habits across the team so our measurement labs, optical tables, electronic workbenches, and assembly areas stay organized, tidy, and ready for work - Scale facilities and equipment: Plan equipment moves, installations, and reconfigurations as we grow, and be the main point of contact for building management, trades, and service vendors - Track assets and maintenance: Build and maintain the lab asset register and maintenance schedule, and oversee lab services such as stock control for lab consumables and our hazardous chemicals register Laboratory Safety Officer - Lead everyday WHS compliance: Operationalise our WHS Management System, keeping SOPs, risk assessments, and JSAs aligned with NSW legislation and practical engineering needs - Champion high hazard safety: Direct the safe handling, storage, and protocols for Class 4 lasers, specialty gases, and hazardous chemicals (including SDS registers) - Drive proactive safety culture: Run monthly inspections, conduct incident and near miss investigations, deliver technical safety inductions and new hire trainings, and exercise clear stop work authority Lab procurement - Centralise lab procurement: Manage supplier relationships, track stock levels against engineering BOMs and budgets, and conduct country of origin/export control checks on critical materials Ideally you'll have: - 5+ years in lab management, technical facility coordination, or senior lab support, ideally in physics, precision measurement, or R&D environments - WHS knowledge: Practical knowledge of NSW WHS legislation and lab safety, including lasers and hazardous chemicals. A Certificate IV in WHS or laser safety training is highly regarded - Procurement and inventory: Experience running inventory and purchasing for technical hardware or lab supplies - Ways of working: Highly organised and detail-focused, with the confidence to raise safety concerns with senior technical staff It would be fantastic if you have these skills/experience: - Experience supporting government-funded projects, or with sanctions and export controls - A tertiary qualification in science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience - Experience building or maturing a WHS Management System - Familiarity with quantum technology or physics labs (e.g. lasers and optics, vacuum, or cryogenics) - Comfort and curiosity using AI tools 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. If you’re ready to help shape the future of quantum, we’d love to hear from you!   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.   To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.