qtlabs - Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Payload Engineer

qtlabs - Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Wien • 🇦🇹 Austria

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Salary

💰 €3,500 per month

Job Level

Junior

About the role

  • Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of our QKD payload, from concept through flight qualification.
  • Drive technical decisions within your domain and take ownership of subsystem design choices.
  • Collaborate closely with electronics engineers (opto-electronics, digital/analog, FPGA interfaces) and thermo-mechanical engineers (thermal control, structural design).
  • Plan and execute laboratory verification, characterization, and system-level testing of optical, electronic, and QKD-specific components.
  • Prepare technical documentation, test reports, interface specifications, and customer deliverables.
  • Support external environmental and space-qualification campaigns (vibration, TVAC, radiation, EMC).
  • Contribute to continuous systemization and maintain clear requirements, interfaces, and architecture documentation.
  • Work across several mission and technology projects simultaneously, contributing QKD expertise and hands-on engineering.

Requirements

  • Degree in physics, electrical engineering, photonics, aerospace engineering, or related field; background in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) or quantum optics strongly preferred.
  • Solid understanding of QKD protocols, photon sources/detectors, optical components, timing/synchronization, and system architectures.
  • Experience with laboratory work (optical setups, measurement equipment, data acquisition).
  • Ability to work autonomously, make informed technical decisions, and drive design iterations.
  • Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and documentation discipline.
  • Excellent communication skills and motivation to work in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Experience in space systems, environmental testing, or hardware verification is a plus, but not required.
Benefits
  • Work on mission-critical quantum technologies that will define future secure communication infrastructure.
  • Join a fast-growing, interdisciplinary team with experts in optics, electronics, mechanics, and quantum science.
  • Shape real hardware that goes into space - prototypes, flight models, and qualification campaigns.
  • Flat hierarchies, ownership, and the opportunity to drive innovation in a rapidly evolving field.
  • A collaborative and innovative environment in Vienna, a global hub for quantum research and space technology.
  • Flexible work arrangements in a hybrid model combining remote and onsite collaboration.
  • The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of quantum technologies.
  • Balanced work-life integration for our employees.
  • Attractive workplace with excellent infrastructure at Wienerberg.
  • Great Italian espresso.
  • Humorous and friendly work atmosphere.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)photon sourcesdetectorsoptical componentstimingsynchronizationsystem architectureslaboratory workmeasurement equipmentdata acquisition
Soft skills
autonomytechnical decision-makinganalytical mindsetattention to detaildocumentation disciplinecommunication skillsinterdisciplinary teamwork