Senior Systems Software Engineer

Free resume; München; Hybrid; EUR 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Free resume is seeking a Senior Systems Software Engineer to join the core team building a Quantum Key Distribution system. You will develop high-performance Python services on Linux, optimize algorithms, and collaborate with FPGA subsystems to accelerate performance.

You’ll define software architecture and ensure reliable, observable software releases. The role also involves leading architecture decisions, mentoring teammates, and shaping how software interacts with hardware interfaces while

Qualifications

• Experience building high-performance Python services on Linux.
• Ability to integrate with FPGA/embedded subsystems and hardware offload.
• Experience defining software architecture and API design for security-sensitive systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and co-own QKD software architecture and client-facing API.
• Define module boundaries and service APIs; move toward clear data/control-plane separation.
• Implement high-performance Python services and optimize QKD algorithms.
• Ensure robust interfaces with embedded/FPGA components over UART/USB/PCIe/Ethernet.
• Build mocks, simulators, and automated test systems.
• Establish CI/CD, observability, and security best practices.

Skills

Python

Linux

Asyncio

WebSockets

NumPy

Algorithm optimization

C/C++ extensions

CUDA/GPU offload

FPGA integration

DevOps

Tools

Docker

GitHub Actions

CI/CD

Web services

Profiling tools

SIMD

Job description

Direct company application on www.arbeitnow.com . Zero third-party aggregator forms.

Job Description

The Role

The Senior Systems Software Engineer will be a member of the core team building the Quantum Key Distribution system. The focus is on high-performance Python services on Linux, algorithm optimization and acceleration (also via hardware offload), and the role spans defining software architecture, integrating with FPGA/embedded subsystems, and turning requirements into reliable, observable software.

The Senior Systems Software Engineer leads and co-owns the overall internal QKD software architecture and client-facing software API. By setting engineering standards, mentoring, and unblocking delivery, they ensure predictable releases and a strong execution cadence.

The Responsibilities

• Leading and co-owning the QKD software architecture: control plane services, key sifting/postprocessing integration, configuration management, monitoring, and external interfaces
• Defining module boundaries and service APIs; evolving the system toward clear data/control-plane separation
• Efficient implementation and hardware/software integration
  • Designing and implementing high-performance Python services on Linux (asyncio, WebSockets, NumPy); profiling and tuning for latency and throughput
  • Developing, profiling, and optimizing QKD sifting and postprocessing algorithms (signal handling/processing, error correction/information reconciliation, LDPC, privacy amplification) to maximize key rate and minimize end-to-end latency; applying algorithmic improvements and implementation techniques (vectorization, concurrency/async, memory/layout tuning, C/C++ extensions, SIMD/CUDA/GPU/FPGA offload where appropriate)
  • Defining and maintaining robust interfaces with embedded/FPGA system components over UART/USB/PCIe/Ethernet; respecting realtime constraints and failure modes
  • Guiding downstream system integration (WebSockets/gRPC/REST) and ensuring clear contracts and backward compatibility
  • Designing for test – building mocks/simulators and automated test systems
• DevOps
  • Building and maintaining CI/CD with Docker and GitHub Actions; automated tests, static analysis, artifact management, and release pipelines
  • Establishing observability (structured logging, metrics, tracing) and operational runbooks; improving reliability and debuggability with SLOs/alerts
  • Embedding security and crypto hygiene by default: secure transport, secrets management, key handling, and coordination with cryptography stakeholders
  • Adding performance benchmarking and regression tracking for key rate and end-to-end latency; integrating profiling/flame graphs into CI and enforcing performance budgets

The Requirements

Remote full-time en 53,000–59,000 EUR/yr