Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Payload Engineer
Quantum Technologies GmbH
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Wien • 🇦🇹 Austria
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 €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
- Experience in space systems, environmental testing, or hardware verification is a plus, but not required
Benefits
- 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
- 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)optical componentsphoton sourcesdetectorstimingsynchronizationsystem architectureslaboratory workmeasurement equipmentdata acquisition
Soft skills
analytical mindsetattention to detaildocumentation disciplineautonomous worktechnical decision makingdesign iteration