Executive Chief Technology Officer, Defense (Remote Considered)

Ainabl is delivering the world’s first airborne-qualified, revenue-generating quantum-secure networking systems for next-generation defense platforms (JADC2, NGAD, FCAS, Tempest). We are seeking an exceptional Executive Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to own the complete technical vision, architecture, and execution roadmap of our trapped-ion quantum networking hardware stack through TRL 9 and cumulative revenue by 2030.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead an elite quantum engineering organization scaling from 10 logical qubits (qNIC-200) to 100+ logical qubits by 2030 (qNIC-1000), while maintaining the industry’s only airborne-qualified form factor.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end system performance: logical qubit count, key refresh latency, jam resistance, error rates, SWaP-C, and environmental qualification (DO-160G/H, MIL-STD-810H)

Lead architecture evolution of trapped-ion control, error correction, real-time decoding (FPGA * ASIC), cryogenics, and modular scaling subsystems

Direct a world-class quantum engineering team (PhDs, FPGA/ASIC designers, systems engineers) across integration sites

Serve as the primary technical authority to strategic customers (e.g., Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Dassault, BAE, Thales) and government stakeholders (Sandia, DARPA, ONR, DGA)

Drive certification, radiation-hardening, and ITAR/CMMC compliance for airborne and space variants

Manage technical risk, CapEx allocation (R&D 2026-2030), and vendor partnerships (e.g., Oxford Instruments, Bluefors, Airbus DS, etc.)

Co-author patent portfolio and represent Ainabl Quantum at classified and public technical forums

PhD in Physics, Quantum Engineering, EE, or related field

10+ years in quantum hardware development with direct trapped-ion, superconducting, or photonic quantum systems experience

Proven track record taking quantum hardware from TRL 4 * TRL 9, ideally in defense or aerospace environments

Multiple issued patents and first-author publications in fault-tolerant quantum computing or quantum communication

Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance strongly preferred (mandatory within 12 months)

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required (ITAR)

Preferred Skills

Former technical leadership at Quantinuum, IonQ, PsiQuantum, Rigetti, or equivalent national lab/program (LANL, Sandia, MIT Lincoln Lab, DARPA)

Deep expertise in quantum error correction (surface codes, cat states, bosonic codes, real-time decoding)

Hands-on experience with airborne qualification (DO-160, MIL-STD) or radiation-hardened electronics

Prior success shipping revenue-generating quantum or crypto hardware to defense primes

Experience scaling from 10 to 100+ logical qubits with constrained SWaP

Be the technical co-founder of the only company delivering revenue-ready, airborne quantum-secure networking today

Work on the most mission-critical quantum defense programs on the planet with global impact

Competitive executive compensation ($250-$350K base + 4-7% equity) and full benefits package

Collaborate with industry leading executives, and world-class trapped-ion physicists in an intense, high-trust culture

Shape the future of quantum-secure battlespace communications and drive a significant outcome

At Ainabl, we forge quantum-secure hardware that delivers unbreakable communications for defense at the edge. We are the only team shipping airborne-qualified, fault-tolerant quantum networking systems today. If you have built and shipped mission-critical quantum hardware under DARPA, ONR, or DGA scrutiny and are ready to own the technical destiny of the defining quantum defense & systems company of the decade, this is your opportunity.