Senior FPGA & Electronics Engineer

Qluster SAS; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work in Paris

Health insurance (50% employer-funded)

Public transport reimbursement (50%)

Competitive benefits with startup‑era/

Job summary

Qluster SAS seeks a Senior FPGA & Electronics Engineer to lead electronic control and acquisition systems for a quantum computing platform. You will work with quantum scientists, optical engineers and software developers to transform laboratory experiments into compact, reliable modules.

Take ownership of architectures, firmware, and detection electronics, while ensuring timing and noise requirements meet the 100 MHz optical control needs. Hybrid work is in Paris with on‑site presence as needed.

Qualifications

• Five+ years FPGA and electronic systems experience.
• Strong VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog skills with simulation and timing closure.
• Experience with ADCs/DACs, lab instruments and RF/clocking basics.
• English proficiency and cross‑discipline collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Define electronic architectures from experimental needs and select components.
• Develop FPGA firmware for real‑time data acquisition and control.
• Develop low‑noise detection electronics with front ends and ADC/DAC paths.
• Enable fast optical control for modulators and switches at 100 MHz.
• Integrate prototype boards and replace lab gear with dedicated modules.
• Build automated tests, calibrations, and diagnose noise, latency and jitter.
• Collaborate with software to ensure reproducible experiments and remote operation.
• Provide technical ownership, reviews, and supplier coordination within budgets.

Skills

VHDL

Verilog

SystemVerilog

FPGA development

ADC/DAC integration

Oscilloscope

Python

Version control

Documentation

English proficiency

Education

Electronic engineering degree

Tools

JESD204

LVDS

PCIe

Embedded Linux

C/C++

Job description

Hardware | Full-time · Hybrid | Paris, France

Target start date: Early January 2027

About Qluster

Qluster is a startup developing continuous-variable photonic quantum computers. By prioritizing architecture-first scalability, our ambition is to turn fundamental research into practical technology for healthcare, chemistry, sustainability and various applications.

We bring together physicists and engineers who value curiosity, initiative, and teamwork. Progress comes from open discussion, constructive challenges, and shared ownership of complex problems. Joining Qluster means helping shape both our core technology and the way we work.

Your role and responsibilities

As our Senior FPGA & Electronics Engineer, you will lead the development of the electronic control and acquisition systems supporting our photonic quantum computing platform. Working closely with quantum scientists, optical engineers and software developers, you will help turn laboratory experiments into compact, reliable and reproducible systems.

Your work will support both our quantum computing roadmap and experimental Quantum Reservoir Computing demonstrators.

• Define electronic architectures: translate experimental needs into specifications for acquisition, processing, timing, noise and interfaces; assess design options and select suitable components.
• Develop FPGA firmware: design, simulate, implement and validate logic for real-time data acquisition, digital signal processing, synchronization and low-latency control.
• Develop detection electronics: work with the photonics team to design and characterize low-noise balanced photodetectors for pulsed homodyne detection, including analogue front ends and digitization.
• Enable fast optical control: develop electronics and FPGA interfaces for modulators and optical switches, supporting a target optical pulse repetition rate of 100 MHz and the associated timing requirements.
• Integrate and miniaturize prototypes: design and bring up electronic boards, integrate ADCs/DACs and clock distribution, and help replace laboratory instrumentation with dedicated electronic modules.
• Validate performance: build automated tests and calibration routines; measure noise, bandwidth, latency, timing jitter and stability; troubleshoot issues across electronics, firmware and optical interfaces.
• Connect hardware and software: develop acquisition and control interfaces with the software team, supporting reproducible experiments, performance benchmarks and future remote operation.
• Provide technical ownership: document designs, lead reviews, support colleagues and coordinate relevant suppliers, procurement and component choices within project budgets and schedules.

This role combines development work with hands-on laboratory integration. Hybrid working is arranged around experimental and team needs, with regular on-site presence in Paris.

Basic qualifications and experience

• A degree in electronic engineering, electrical engineering, embedded systems or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least five years of relevant experience in FPGA development and electronic systems, with demonstrated ownership from specifications through laboratory validation.
• Strong proficiency in VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog, including simulation, synthesis, timing constraints, timing closure and clock-domain crossings.
• Hands‑on experience integrating FPGA‑based systems with ADCs/DACs, hardware interfaces and host software.
• Solid understanding of analogue and digital electronics, including low‑noise design principles, signal integrity, grounding and PCB design or review.
• Experience bringing up and debugging hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analysers and other laboratory instruments.
• Practical Python skills for test automation, instrument control or data analysis, alongside disciplined version control and technical documentation.
• A systematic approach to problem-solving, autonomy in managing priorities and the ability to make clear engineering trade‑offs.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain technical constraints across disciplines, welcome feedback and share knowledge.
• Professional working proficiency in English.

Preferred qualifications and experience

• Experience with balanced photodetection, transimpedance amplifiers, pulsed optical measurements or shot‑noise characterization.
• Experience in photonics, quantum technologies, scientific instrumentation or other demanding experimental environments.
• Familiarity with high‑speed converters, low‑jitter clocking, RF electronics and interfaces such as JESD204, LVDS, PCIe or Ethernet.
• Experience with FPGA SoCs, embedded Linux, C/C++ or hardware/software co-design.
• Experience implementing real‑time filtering, feedback or feedforward, with explicit latency and throughput constraints.
• Experience reducing the size and complexity of laboratory systems through custom electronics, with attention to manufacturability, testability and maintainability.
• Experience mentoring engineers, coordinating suppliers or delivering hardware in a startup or R&D environment.

What we offer

• Compensation: Salary package tailored to your experience and profile.
• Workplace flexibility: Hybrid work organization based in Paris.
• Benefits: Health insurance (50% employer-funded) and 50% public transportation reimbursement.
• Growth potential: As an early‑stage startup, our employee benefits and workplace perks will expand and evolve alongside the growth and maturity of the company.

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and workplace. Should you need any accommodations at any stage, please let us know.