Photonics / Systems Engineer (m/f/d) Quantum Technologies

This is a key role in implementation of technology and missions with focus on satellite-based quantum communication. With your strong expertise in integrated photonics you are the point of contact for the engineering team when it comes to technical questions in this context.  With your passion for quantum technologies, you will prospectively act as the technical point of contact for subcontractors and customers in the fields of photonics and quantum technologies and systems.

We are looking for someone interested in vertical technology development, hands-on mentality and strong background in integrated photonic circuit design and simulation. And at the same time willingness to take a system level perspective, technically managing entire units in the context of quantum communication.

Your responsibilities will span the full systems engineering lifecycle—from requirements definition to testing, validation, and verification. Ideally you have already first expertise in the context of System Engineering.

In your daily work this will translate into following key responsibilities:

• Quantum Technologies & Secure Communication
• Contribute to studies and early-phase projects (Phases 0/A/B) focused on quantum technologies
• Support implementation projects (Phases B/C/D/E) in the context of secure and quantum communication systems with focus on vertical technology development and photonic integrated circuits

Systems Engineering

• Define and manage customer, mission, and system requirements
• Develop specifications for systems and subsystems, including interface engineering
• Define technical baselines and budgets for systems and subsystems
• Perform trade-offs of technical and programmatic solutions
• Compile documentation according to space standards

Technical Implementation

• Design, layout, simulate and tape-out photonic integrated circuit in a fabless manufacturing workflow
• Chip level and packaged PIC testing and verification in an iterative development
• Development and implementation of technology units in the laboratory up to TRL 4
• Overview and management of technical solutions developed externally for particular systems and subsystems up to TRL9
• Reporting and technical contact person towards stakeholders for particular systems and subsystems

Testing, Validation & Verification

• Plan and execute test campaigns at system and subsystem levels
• Conduct laboratory work to implement validation and verification activities
• Analyze and trade-off performance-related parameters e.g. for time, frequency and polarization synchronization between satellite and ground

Project & Work Package Management

• Manage work packages and sub-projects within larger projects
• Represent the work packages and/or sub-project(s) as technical point-of-contact  towards sucontractors and customers

Proposal Development

• Participate in or lead proposal creation, particularly in the domain of quantum technologies
• Define technical baselines and development logic for proposals
• Define study and development logic, including work breakdown structures
• Support budget definition and engineering activities

Your Qualifications

• Master in Physics, photonics, quantum optics or related field
• Proven knowledge in photonic integrated circuit design, tape-out and testing
• Experience with PDK-based design on InP platform is a plus
• Passion for quantum technologies and/or quantum communications
• Experience with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) concepts and systems
• Knowledge in system engineering for space, e.g. requirement definition and/or MBSE is an advantage
• Hands-on experience in the lab in the context of technology development up to TRL 4, ideally in the context of QKD for space-based applications or free space optics
• Experience with programming (python, C, C++) for hardware integration, automation, development and system testing is a plus
• Strong solution oriented, self-managed and pro-active working style
• Passion for technology and the motivation to turn ideas into reality