Quantum Optical Systems Engineer for Space Communications

Sopra Steria; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HE Space in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, seeks an Optical & Quantum Communication System Engineer to translate mission and security requirements into subsystem specs and to lead the design of quantum optical hardware for space-ground segments. Responsibilities include IV&V, test automation, and ensuring compliance with space qualification standards.

Fluency in English is required; a second European language is a plus.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Physics, Electrical/Photonics Engineering, Aerospace, or related field.
• 8+ years in quantum communications/QKD, photonics, or optical comms.
• Experience with space/ground segment design, AIT/AIV, and environmental qualification.
• Proficiency with link budgets and channel models for fiber and/or free‑space; familiarity with turbulence and background models.
• Strong technical writing and stakeholder communication; able to produce clear documentation.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another European language is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Translate mission, security, and performance requirements (SKR, QBER, link budget) into subsystem specifications.
• Support/lead design of quantum optical hardware (sources, detectors, time-tagging, synchronization, stabilization).
• Oversee breadboarding, prototyping, and design-for-test/assembly (DFT/DFA).
• Plan and execute integration, verification, and validation (IV&V) activities for lab, field, and over‑the‑air trials (terrestrial fiber/free-space and space segments).
• Develop test plans, procedures, and automated test scripts; analyze results and generate test reports.
• Perform optical link budgets, channel modeling (attenuation, turbulence, background noise), alignment and pointing, timing/synchronization.
• Interface with classical communication layers (key management, control plane) and security infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with safety, EMC, environmental, and, where applicable, space qualification standards (e.g., vibration, thermal vacuum, radiation).
• Contribute to FMEAs, fault trees, design reviews, and configuration management.
• Advise internal teams and customers on technology trade‑offs, roadmaps, and risks.
• Prepare design documents, ICDs, test reports, and operations manuals; present findings to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Skills

Fluency in English

Technical writing

Stakeholder communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Physics, Electrical/Photonics Engineering, Aerospace, or related field

Job description

HE Space in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, seeks an Optical & Quantum Communication System Engineer to translate mission and security requirements into subsystem specs and to lead the design of quantum optical hardware for space-ground segments. Responsibilities include IV&V, test automation, and ensuring compliance with space qualification standards.

Fluency in English is required; a second European language is a plus.