Lead Systems Engineering Value Stream and manage a team of systems engineers at Northrop Grumman. Drive value stream integration for major defense systems development milestones.
QG
Hybrid System Engineer – Optical Ground Station for Space-Based QKD
Posted 3 months ago
About the role
- Systems Engineer at Quantum Technology Laboratories designing Optical Ground Stations for space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. Collaborating on multidisciplinary projects involving optics, electronics, and quantum communications.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design, development, and manufacturing of our Optical Ground Stations for satellite-to-ground QKD links.
- Take ownership of subsystem design choices, including the optical frontend, tracking systems, turbulence mitigation system, time-bin/phase and polarization analysis modules, and single-photon detection modules.
- 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.
Requirements
- Degree in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, photonics, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of free-space optical communication, telescope systems, optics, and tracking/control concepts.
- Familiarity with quantum receivers, including single-photon detectors, low-noise readout electronics, polarization optics, and active stabilization methods.
- Experience with optical laboratory setups, measurement equipment, and hands-on system integration.
- 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.
- Experience in any of the following is a strong plus: 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.
Benefits
- Flexible work arrangements in a hybrid model combining remote and onsite collaboration
- Attractive workplace with excellent infrastructure at Wienerberg
- Great Italian espresso
- Humorous and friendly work atmosphere
- Balanced work-life integration for our employees
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