Global quantum technology firm Infleqtion has named Karl Pendergast as its Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Quantum Sensing Solutions Group. The appointment comes as the company, a leader in neutral atom-based quantum systems, seeks to accelerate the commercialization of its sensing technologies for defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure markets.
Pendergast brings nearly forty years of experience in aerospace and defense to the role, with a career spanning major contractors, government agencies, and consulting. His hiring follows Infleqtion’s recent announcement of plans to become a publicly traded company via a merger with special purpose acquisition company Churchill Capital Corp VII.
A Career Forged in High-Stakes Engineering
Pendergast’s technical and leadership background is rooted in the most demanding sectors of aerospace engineering.
Foundation in Major Systems
His career includes senior roles at Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Northrop Grumman, as well as work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This trajectory provided deep exposure to the full lifecycle of complex systems, from initial research and development through to rigorous testing and operational deployment. His technical expertise is centered on space mission systems, electro-optical design, and the dynamics and controls engineering critical for precision instruments.
From Development to Deployment
At these organizations, Pendergast contributed to advanced projects in deep space exploration, directed energy systems, and space domain awareness. This experience translates to a proven familiarity with the “mission rigor” required for technologies that must perform reliably in field conditions, not just laboratory environments. Prior to joining Infleqtion, he operated as a Principal at strategic consulting firm Rocinante Partners, advising on engineering execution and business operations.
The Strategic Imperative Behind the Hire
The creation of a dedicated Quantum Sensing Solutions Group under Pendergast’s leadership signals a strategic shift for Infleqtion as it moves products from advanced development into broader operational use.
Capitalizing on a Growing Market
Quantum sensing leverages quantum states of matter to make measurements of physical quantities—such as time, gravity, magnetic fields, or motion—with unprecedented precision. Governments and industries are increasingly exploring these capabilities for applications like GPS-denied navigation, secure communications, critical infrastructure monitoring, and resource exploration. Pendergast’s mandate is to structure and scale this business unit to meet that rising demand.
“Karl has led the development of some of the most advanced sensing and space systems in the world,” said Matt Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion. “His leadership arrives as demand for quantum sensing grows and Infleqtion accelerates deployment. He brings the technical depth and operational discipline needed to scale this business, and his experience delivering mission-critical systems positions us to deliver solutions that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.”
Bridging the Gap to Operational Use
A central challenge for quantum technology companies is transitioning from promising prototypes to hardened, user-friendly systems that integrate into existing workflows. Pendergast’s background is explicitly geared toward this challenge. His experience navigating the procurement, integration, and stringent verification processes of defense and aerospace clients is a key asset for Infleqtion as it targets these early-adopting sectors.
“Quantum sensing is poised to shape the future of national security, aerospace and critical infrastructure, and Infleqtion is at the forefront of that transition,” Pendergast stated. “I’m thrilled to join the company as these systems begin field deployment and key programs advance toward operational use. I look forward to applying my experience delivering mission-critical technologies and complex sensing solutions.”
Infleqtion’s Path to Commercialization
The company’s quantum sensing portfolio is built around its core technology of manipulating neutral atoms with lasers.
A Portfolio Built for Real-World Use
Infleqtion’s product lineup includes ultra-precise quantum optical clocks, highly sensitive RF (radio frequency) receivers, and next-generation inertial sensors. These systems are engineered not as laboratory curiosities but for eventual field deployment, supported by proprietary control and optimization software. The company reports that its technologies are already in use by entities including the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and the U.K. government, and are part of ongoing collaborative research projects with technology partners like NVIDIA.
The Public Markets and Future Growth
The pending business combination with Churchill Capital Corp VII aims to provide the capital necessary to scale manufacturing, expand commercial teams, and accelerate research and development. Placing a seasoned executive like Pendergast in charge of a major revenue-driving division is a clear step in preparing the organization for growth as a public entity. It underscores a focus on building mature, customer-centric business lines around its scientific innovations.
Pendergast holds a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His appointment reflects a broader trend in the quantum industry, where firms are increasingly integrating executives with deep-scale production and systems integration experience to complement their foundational research teams.
About Infleqtion
Infleqtion is a global leader in neutral-atom quantum technology. We design and build quantum computers, precision sensors, and quantum software for governments, enterprises, and research institutions. Our commercial portfolio includes quantum computers as well as quantum RF systems, quantum clocks, and inertial navigation solutions. Infleqtion is the partner of choice for governments and commercial customers seeking cutting-edge quantum capabilities. Infleqtion announced in September 2025 it plans to go public via a merger with Churchill X (NASDAQ: CCCX). For more information, visit Infleqtion.com or follow Infleqtion on LinkedIn,YouTube, and X.
