Quantum
Computing
Specialist talent for Australia's quantum hardware and software pioneers.
Physicists, engineers and software talent for the firms building quantum hardware, control systems and algorithms in Australia. We work with the small set of well-funded teams pushing toward fault-tolerant qubits, hybrid quantum-classical workflows and the surrounding scientific software stack.
What we do here
Quantum is the deepest specialist market AEY works in. The candidate universe in Australia is genuinely tiny - a senior search here is effectively a named-target campaign with a clear shortlist on day one. We know who the realistic candidates are before we begin; the work is in approaching them on terms that respect both the science and the seniority.
Almost all engagements in this sector are retained executive search or research-led specialist recruitment. Contingent does not work in a market this small.
What “great” looks like at intake
We pressure-test the brief against what is actually possible in the country, not what the role description aspires to. Sometimes the realistic Australian candidate pool for a given specialism is fewer than ten people - and three of them are already at your competitors. We will tell you that on the first call and shape the search to fit reality, including international relocation conversations where the brief warrants it.
How we work this market
Most placements here are people we have known for years - founders, technical leads, academics building company-side careers. The deciding factor is rarely compensation alone; it is the science, the team and the seriousness of the commercial bet. Engagements that respect that tend to close. Ones that treat quantum as just another senior engineering role tend not to.
Capabilities we cover
- ▸ Quantum hardware engineering (cryogenic, control electronics, photonics)
- ▸ Qubit design and silicon-spin / superconducting / trapped-ion specialisms
- ▸ Quantum software, compilers and error-correction
- ▸ Cryogenic systems, RF and pulse-control engineering
- ▸ Algorithms, simulation and quantum-classical hybrid workflows
- ▸ Scientific computing infrastructure and tooling
Typical roles & bands
- Senior Quantum Hardware Engineer$170k-$240k base
- Quantum Software / Compiler Engineer$160k-$220k base
- Senior Cryogenic / RF Control Engineer$150k-$210k base
- Research Scientist (PhD-level)$140k-$200k base
- Principal / Staff Quantum Engineer$230k-$340k total
- Source. The founder's placement records across 15 years of recruitment practice, continuing into AEY, plus ongoing market benchmarking.
- Composition. Base salary unless otherwise specified. Total-comp roles include equity / bonus / day-rate where stated.
- Variance. Actual offers move with stage, location, technical specialism, clearance status and the candidate's alternative options. The bands above are 25th–75th percentile, not floor and ceiling.
- Currency. All amounts in AUD.
Market notes
Australia is home to one of the most concentrated quantum-computing scenes outside the US, with a handful of well-funded firms competing for what is genuinely the smallest senior candidate pool we map. Almost every senior hire is a named-target search; speculative pipelines do not exist at this depth. Compensation has moved sharply over the last 24 months as international firms have begun targeting Australian quantum specialists - cleared or otherwise.
Concentrated in Sydney and Brisbane around the major academic and commercial programmes. Many candidates hold PhDs and have prior experience at international quantum labs or hardware firms.
Anonymised, never shared. Maintained as a live working map, not a database.
Let's talk about quantum computing.
A 30-minute call is enough for us to know whether we can add value - and whether you should be talking to us, or to someone else.