Join Our Mission to Advance Trusted Quantum Communication
At Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH (qtlabs), we are developing next-generation quantum communication technologies for space and terrestrial applications. Our work combines quantum optics, cryptography, and advanced engineering to create practical systems for secure communication in the quantum era.
Based in Vienna, our team brings together experts in quantum key distribution (QKD), optical communication, system engineering, and security-critical technologies. We are now looking for an Expert for secure implementation of QKD Systems to strengthen our expertise in the secure implementation, validation, and certification readiness of QKD devices and networks.
Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The Role
We are looking for an Expert for secure implementation of QKD Systems to strengthen the security engineering, system engineering, and certification readiness of our next-generation quantum communication systems.
In this role, you will develop architectures for integrating QKD devices into larger communication networks and infrastructures. You will contribute to security risk assessments, identify threats and countermeasures at device level, and derive requirements for the secure implementation of QKD devices and QKD networks.
Working closely with Security Architects, Security Proof Experts, system engineers, hardware and software teams, you will help align security concepts, implementation assumptions, and practical system designs. Your work will bridge security engineering and system engineering and contribute to the development of secure, validated, and certifiable QKD devices.
You will also support certification activities, contribute to validation strategies, assist in the development of validation equipment and testbenches, and engage with stakeholders such as governmental agencies, space agencies, evaluation laboratories, partners, and customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop secure architectures for integrating QKD devices into terrestrial, space-based, and hybrid communication networks.
- Contribute to security risk assessments for QKD devices, QKD networks, and their operational environments.
- Identify and evaluate threats, countermeasures, and security requirements at the level of QKD devices, interfaces, network integration, and operational procedures.
- Translate security concepts, assumptions, and implementation requirements into concrete system engineering inputs.
- Work closely with Security Architects, Security Proof Experts, and engineering teams to align security proofs, implementation assumptions, system design, and secure implementation.
- Lead or assist certification-related activities, including evidence preparation, technical documentation, and coordination with evaluation laboratories.
- Assist in the development of validation equipment, testbenches, test procedures, and validation strategies for QKD devices.
- Review and contribute to system designs, device architectures, interface specifications, and implementation choices from a security perspective.
- Engage with governmental agencies, space agencies, customers, partners, and certification bodies on security-related topics.
Required Qualifications
- University degree in physics, quantum technologies, electrical engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, mathematics, or a related technical field.
- Experience in QKD, quantum communication, or related high-security technologies.
- Previous experience in a role such as system engineer, security engineer, security architect, QKD engineer, or a comparable technical position.
- Understanding of QKD devices, including their architecture, implementation principles, limitations, and security-relevant assumptions.
- Ability to bridge theoretical security concepts with practical engineering constraints.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams across physics, optics, electronics, software, systems engineering, and cybersecurity.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to interact confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- High level of ownership, structured thinking, and reliability in security-critical environments.
Nice to Have
- Specialization in satellite-based QKD, space-based quantum communication, optical satellite links, or related space security technologies.
- Hands-on laboratory experience with QKD devices, optical systems, photonic components, or quantum communication test setups.
- Experience developing or operating validation equipment, testbenches, or laboratory procedures for QKD or optical communication systems.
- Experience with certification, evaluation, or assurance processes for security-critical technologies.
- Knowledge of security standards, evaluation schemes, Common Criteria, ISO/IEC 15408, ETSI, ITU-T, or other relevant cryptographic or communication security standards.
- Experience with device characterization, side-channel analysis, implementation attacks, or physical-layer security.
- Familiarity with security proofs for QKD protocols and their practical implementation assumptions.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to work on cutting-edge quantum communication technologies with real-world security impact.
- The opportunity to grow within the company and develop into a senior role over time.
- A technical role at the intersection of QKD, cybersecurity, system engineering, certification, and space communication.
- The chance to shape how QKD devices are securely implemented, validated, certified, and integrated into future communication networks.
- Collaboration with leading experts, international partners, governmental stakeholders, and customers.
- A dynamic deep-tech environment with short decision paths and strong technical ownership.
- A modern workplace in Vienna with flexible and hybrid working options.
The minimum gross salary for this position is € 3,499.78 per month (based on full-time employment) in accordance with the collective agreement. However, there is a willingness to offer a higher salary depending on experience and qualifications.
Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees!
We look forward to receiving your application!
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The evolution of global communication networks toward quantum-safe architectures has generated a critical structural requirement for specialized system engineering roles focused on quantum key distribution implementation. As national security mandates and international telecommunications standards accelerate the timeline for cryptographic transition, the market faces significant integration complexity at the boundary between theoretical security proofs and physical device deployments. This function is essential for translating mathematical guarantees into certifiable, real-world hardware and software architectures that mitigate the systemic vulnerabilities of early-stage systems. By establishing rigorous verification pathways, this role enables deep-tech enterprises to bridge the high-friction gap between pilot protocols and industrialized infrastructure readiness. Within the broader value chain, this expertise serves as a vital stabilization point for stabilizing sovereign network integrity against emerging computational threats.
The quantum communications landscape is transitioning from localized experimental deployments toward macro-scale, multi-domain networks that encompass both terrestrial fiber paths and non-terrestrial satellite links. Within this shifting paradigm, the absolute constraint has moved beyond fundamental photon generation to the engineering challenges of physical-layer security implementation, component validation, and standard compliance. While academic frameworks establish unconditional security proofs under idealized conditions, practical deployments introduce complex side-channel vulnerabilities, environmental instabilities, and hardware deviations that demand a dedicated architectural synthesis. This development layer is critical to prevent systemic structural fragmentation across emerging regional quantum infrastructure projects.
Concurrently, the sector faces substantial challenges regarding global standardization and governance frameworks. The lack of fully unified certification criteria across different jurisdictions complicates the progression of technology readiness levels and delays capital allocation from risk-averse infrastructure operators. Consequently, the industry relies heavily on translation pathways that align early hardware iterations with rigorous international evaluation schemes such as Common Criteria or ETSI specifications. This alignment requires steady multi-disciplinary synchronization across optical engineering, system architecture, and government regulatory landscapes to maintain momentum during long infrastructure procurement cycles.
Furthermore, integrating quantum hardware into legacy telecommunications environments introduces severe operational dependencies. The successful scaling of the market depends on building hybrid classical-quantum layers that handle high data throughput without compromising the strict parameters of cryptographic keys. Because these systems operate in highly secure, low-tolerance fields, the availability of technical experts who can systematically assess device vulnerabilities is a primary factor in whether public and private networks can successfully execute quantum-safe migration strategies.
The capability architecture for this engineering domain centers on the rigid convergence of quantum information science with the protocols of high-assurance systems engineering. Mastery over hardware-agnostic verification frameworks and physical-layer device characterization is essential to guarantee that cryptographic hardware remains resilient against implementation-level attacks and environmental side channels. This necessitates a comprehensive structural understanding of the interaction between optical transmitter-receiver components, low-level software control stacks, and cryptographic interface specifications.
These competencies are fundamental to the operational velocity of technology organizations, as they enable the parallel development of secure device architectures alongside standardized testing infrastructure. By implementing rigorous validation procedures and automated testbench environments, this function provides the analytical leverage required to verify hardware integrity before commercial deployment. Additionally, the ability to manage complex verification documentation reduces compliance friction during formal assessments by external evaluation bodies. This systemic oversight ensures long-term interoperability within the expanding quantum-safe hardware ecosystem. - Accelerates the transition of quantum key distribution devices from experimental validation to scalable commercial deployment
- Mitigates implementation-stage security risks by translating theoretical cryptographic proofs into practical hardware designs
- Facilitates the standardization of architectural compliance frameworks across terrestrial and space-based communication networks
- Strengthens organizational readiness for formal security certification via the production of rigorous validation documentation
- Reduces integration friction between emerging quantum-safe hardware stacks and legacy telecommunications infrastructures
- Optimizes the performance of hybrid network deployments by identifying and mitigating physical-layer side-channel vulnerabilities
- Enhances global ecosystem interoperability through close alignment with international cryptographic engineering standards
- Lowers product development cycles by establishing automated validation equipment and hardware testbench protocols
- Protects public and private critical infrastructure investments by implementing secure-by-design engineering principles
- Improves stakeholder confidence by delivering transparent risk assessments to government agencies and commercial partners
- Minimizes the talent gap by creating robust, cross-functional engineering inputs for multidisciplinary design teams
- Orchestrates the technical alignment of physical quantum optics with enterprise-grade information security management systemsIndustry Tags: Quantum Communication, Quantum Key Distribution, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Cryptographic Hardware, Space Technologies, Network Security, Hardware Validation, Technology Certification
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