Job
- Level
- Experienced
- Job Field
- IT, System, Embedded
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Contract Type
- Permanent employment
- Salary
- from 3.499 € Gross/Month
- Location
- Vienna
- Working Model
- Hybrid, Onsite
Job Summary
In this role, you will develop precise Optical Ground Stations for space-based quantum communication, work on integrating optical systems, and conduct performance verification tests.
Your role in the team
- Join Our Mission to Advance Quantum Communication in Space
- We are expanding our team and are looking for a motivated systems engineer to drive the development of our next-generation Optical Ground Stations (OGS) for space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
- In this role, you will work at the interface of free-space optics, precise tracking of satellites (LEO, GEO), quantum detection systems, and system-level engineering.
- Our ground stations integrate high-performance optical subsystems, telescopes, fine-tracking sensors, adaptive optics system, beacon lasers and our state-of-the-art Quantum Receiver, designed for ultra-low-noise single-photon detection, active polarization compensation, and high-rate key generation.
- Contribute to the design, development, and manufacturing of our Optical Ground Stations for satellite-to-ground QKD links.
- Übernehmen Sie die Verantwortung für die Designentscheidungen der Subsysteme, einschließlich optisches Frontend, Tracking-Systeme, Turbulenzminderungssystem, Zeit-Bin/Phasen- und Polarisationsanalyse-Modul sowie Single-Photon-Detektionsmodule.
- Work closely with experts in optics, electronics, control systems, and quantum communications to deliver robust, high-performance OGS solutions.
- Integrate and optimize components such as telescopes, tracking cameras, beacon lasers, quantum receivers, polarization optics, and timing/synchronization modules.
- Plan and execute laboratory verification, field testing, and link characterization campaigns for OGS prototypes and deployed systems.
- Contribute to and maintain system requirements, optical budgets, interface definitions, and architecture documentation.
- Perform system-level modeling and analysis of link performance (attenuation, turbulence, pointing/tracking error budgets, synchronization).
- Support on-site installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of OGS systems at customer locations or demonstration sites.
- Prepare technical documentation, test reports, interface specifications, and customer deliverables.
- Collaborate across several mission and technology projects simultaneously, ensuring consistent architectural and performance standards.
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Our expectations of you
Education
- Degree in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, photonics, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
Qualifications
- Strong understanding of free-space optical communication, telescope systems, optics, and tracking/control concepts.
- Vertrautheit mit Quantenempfängern, einschließlich Einzelphotonen-Detektoren, rauscharmen Ausleseelektronik, Polarisationsoptik und aktiven Stabilisierungsmethoden.
- Ability to work autonomously, make informed technical decisions, and drive design iterations.
- Solid analytical skills and attention to detail, especially in documentation, testing, and interface-driven development.
- Satellite-to-ground optical communication or QKD
- Control systems for tracking, pointing, and synchronization
- Adaptive optics for turbulence mitigation
- Field deployment of optical systems
- Environmental testing or hardware verification
- Excellent communication skills and motivation to work in interdisciplinary engineering teams.
Experience
- Experience with optical laboratory setups, measurement equipment, and hands-on system integration.
- Experience in any of the following is a strong plus:
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Job Locations
Topics that you deal with on the job
This is your employer
Quantum Technology Laboratories
qtlabs is an emerging company in the field of quantum communication, founded in 2017 by renowned scientists. It specializes in the development of advanced communication systems based on quantum mechanics.
Description
- Company Type
- Startup
- Working Model
- Hybrid, Onsite
- Industry
- Science, Research
System Engineer - Optical Ground Station for Space-Based QKD
- Salary
- from 3.499 € Gross/Month
- Location
- Vienna
- Working Model
- Hybrid, Onsite
- Diversity
- Open for all genders
