Job Description
Do you want to work with cutting-edge quantum technology? Do you have a solid technical background and do you work with a lot of perseverance and accuracy? Do you want be part of a diverse and dynamic scale-up company? Then we invite you to read on and apply!
IN SHORT
Single Quantum (singlequantum.com) makes the world's fastest and most-sensitive light-detection systems limited only by the laws of physics! As a scale-up company, we are growing steadily in both size and presence worldwide. We are looking for a dedicated engineer to join our test team as a System Test Engineer in our optics lab. We are looking for a full-time engineer to be based at our headquarters in Delft, preferably starting in February 2026.
**Note: Due to the holiday season, do expect some delays in our communication.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
As our Production Test Engineer (System Test Engineer), you will be responsible for the testing, characterization, and validation of our flagship superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) systems, to prepare them for our wide range of customers. You will be joining an international and innovative environment and will be working in our Production Labs in Delft, alongside our team of physicists and engineers.
Your main tasks include:
- Perform optical and electrical characterization of SNSPDs by using a variety of lab equipment.
- Execute quality control and performance validation of our complete systems.
- Troubleshoot and problem solve any issues that arise.
- Check and maintain characterization setups to ensure accuracy.
- Mount detectors and check the performance of the cryostats.
- Regular communication with Sales teams to meet deadlines and quality expectations.
- Be a part of the feedback cycle involving Detector Testing, Cryostat and Driver Assembly, and Development teams to ship the best single photon detectors possible.
You will work closely with other team-members, but the actual testing is performed independently. You will need real tenacity and great accuracy to follow through. You will play an important part in
getting our systems on time to our scientific customers all over the world, and in helping the company reach its detector quality goals.
As we scale up, our processes need to evolve to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the lab, as well as improve quality where possible. We would also ask you to contribute to these processes.
Your profile and requirements
We are looking for someone who has...
- A Bachelor’s or HBO degree in the field of Physics, Optics, Photonics, Nanotechnology, or equivalent;
- A precise working attitude;
- Great communication and teamwork skills;
- A high sense of commitment and responsibility;
- Good time management skills;
- Confidence in working independently;
- Confidence in practical work;
- Fluent in English
- And a passion for physics and unique technologies.
The following are a plus:
- Experience with laser set-ups;
- Experience with fiber-based optics;
- Experience with Python and with automation;
- Experience with nanofabrication;
- Experience with cryogenics;
- Knowledgeable about (quantum) optics;
- Work experience in a physics lab or clean room.
We hope for the candidate to start in February 2026.
**Note: Due to the holiday season, do expect some delays in our communication.
What we offer
- A collaborative, international team working at the forefront of high-tech innovation, with colleagues from various (and international) background.
- Salary in accordance to the CAO (Collective Labour Agreement) Metalelektro, complemented by secondary benefits.
- Comfortable workplace perks, including coffee, fresh fruit, and weekly catered lunches.
- A solid retirement plan to support your future (provided by PME).
- Up to 40 vacation days per year (based on full-time employment).
- Plenty of space to share your ideas and take initiative—your voice matters from day one.
- A company culture that genuinely supports personal growth and professional development.
- Comprehensive social security benefits in accordance with the Metalelektro Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Metalelektro).
How to apply
If the job description and Single Quantum excites you, we encourage you to submit your CV as well as a motivation or cover letter explaining why you think you're a good fit for the position, along with what attracts you to the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
At Single Quantum, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Contact
If you have any questions before applying or would like to have a general conversation about Single Quantum, you can contact our HR Business Partner, Jacqerina Jarad on +31 (0) 850 400 902 or email to career@singlequantum.com
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
BLOCK 1 — EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
This role is pivotal in de-risking the superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) product lifecycle by ensuring metrology-grade quality control (QC) and rigorous system validation before commercial deployment. The function acts as the final arbiter of system performance, directly influencing the confidence and adoption rate of ultra-sensitive quantum measurement tools in global scientific and industrial markets. By integrating characterization data back into the R&D and production pipeline, this engineering position sustains a vital feedback loop necessary for continuous product evolution and maintenance of a leadership position in low-light detection technology.
BLOCK 2 — INDUSTRY & ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS
The quantum technology value chain relies critically on high-fidelity, enabling hardware, particularly in the realm of quantum sensing and photonic quantum computing where single-photon detection is a foundational capability. SNSPDs represent a high-Technology Readiness Level (TRL) component essential for various quantum and advanced scientific applications, including quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum metrology, and deep-space communication. Single Quantum B.V. operates within the quantum hardware vendor landscape, focused on overcoming the bottleneck of scalable, reliable, and standardized detector systems. The manufacturing and deployment of these systems are constrained by the complexity of cryogenic operation and the inherent variability in nanofabricated components. The role of a Production Test Engineer is situated at the manufacturing-to-market interface, addressing the critical scalability challenge related to quality assurance throughput. Consistent, high-volume testing of SNSPDs and their associated cryostat and driver electronics is a major workforce gap across the hardware ecosystem. Without precise and automated production testing, vendor ability to fulfill growing market demand—which requires guaranteed performance metrics like high detection efficiency and low dark count rates—is severely compromised. This position directly mitigates risks associated with system integration failure and ensures that product specifications meet the stringent demands of international research and defense sectors.
BLOCK 3 — TECHNICAL SKILL ARCHITECTURE
The capability domain for this position centers on precision optoelectronics metrology within extreme environments (cryogenics). Core skills enable validated system throughput and stability by managing complex characterization setups, rather than merely operating them. Proficiency in optical alignment and fiber-based optics is crucial for maximizing light coupling efficiency into the nanowire detectors, directly impacting the final system’s reported detection efficiency metric. Mastery of troubleshooting and maintenance of characterization setups ensures data integrity and minimizes test stand downtime, guaranteeing continuous production flow. The complementary expertise in Python for automation and data acquisition is necessary to evolve manual testing protocols into scalable, high-speed validation architectures, enhancing efficiency and reducing human error across the manufacturing process. Furthermore, understanding cryogenics is fundamental for correctly mounting and verifying the thermal stability required for SNSPD superconducting performance.
BLOCK 4 — STRATEGIC IMPACT * Ensures validated system performance, upholding industry benchmarks for quantum detection efficiency and timing resolution.
* Accelerates the time-to-market for high-value quantum hardware necessary for global research infrastructure.
* Reduces systemic risk of field failures by establishing stringent quality control thresholds in the production environment.
* Provides actionable, quantitative data feedback to the R\&D and nanofabrication teams, fueling iterative improvement of core detector technology.
* Optimizes manufacturing workflows by contributing to the automation and efficiency improvement of production testing procedures.
* Maintains organizational reputation by ensuring product consistency across geographically diverse deployments.
* Directly facilitates scientific breakthrough by supplying reliable, physics-limited measurement tools to advanced research programs.
* Drives the industrial maturity of the quantum sensing market through standardized testing and validation protocols.
* Supports rapid organizational scaling by enabling higher volume production capacity of quantum-critical components.
* Strengthens the company’s competitive edge by certifying detectors capable of operating at performance extremes.
* Translates complex physics outputs into standardized commercial product specifications for end-user clarity.
BLOCK 5 — FOOTER
Industry Tags: Quantum Sensing, Superconducting Photonics, Single Photon Detection, Cryogenic Systems, Optoelectronics Metrology, Nanotechnology, Quality Assurance, Deep Tech Manufacturing, Quantum Hardware.
Keywords: SNSPD production test, single photon detector validation, superconducting nanowire characterization, quantum optics quality control, cryogenic system engineer job, precision physics lab work, high-speed detector testing, quantum key distribution components, deep learning for quantum sensing.
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping & quantum ecosystem forecasting.
