Vacancy: Embedded Software Engineer

QSA Technology; Nederland; Híbrido; EUR 70.000 - 110.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

QSA Technology is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer in Leiden, NL, with occasional travel to Enschede and a hybrid working option. You will own the full software/firmware stack for photonic PUF chips, from readout to decision, and interface with partner systems including quantum key distribution hardware.

You will develop firmware for PUF readout, implement the challenge-response protocol, and design integration APIs.

Formación

• MSc in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related field
• Strong Python and/or C/C++ skills, with real experience controlling hardware (instrumentation, FPGAs or embedded systems)
• Comfort working close to the metal: signal digitisation, timing and low-level protocol implementation
• Experience designing and documenting APIs, ideally for integration with external partners or systems
• An independent, hands-on and entrepreneurial way of working

Responsabilidades

• Develop firmware for PUF readout: challenge generation, optical measurement control and response digitisation
• Implement the challenge-response authentication protocol: enrolment, verification and decision logic
• Develop error-correction and helper-data algorithms for stable key extraction under real-world conditions
• Design and build integration APIs for partner systems, such as external quantum key distribution stacks
• Lead interoperability testing and validation of the combined system, including long-duration and security testing
• Document software architecture and test results for product development and project reporting

Conocimientos

Python

C/C++

Hardware control

APIs design

Independent, hands-on

Timing & low-level protocols

Educación

MSc in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Physics

Herramientas

FPGA

RFSoC

Descripción del empleo

Role: Embedded Software Engineer
Location: Leiden, with occasional travel to Enschede; some hybrid working possible
Hours: Full-time
Start: As soon as possible
Apply by: Open until filled

THE ROLE

You'll build the software and firmware that turns our photonic PUF chips into a working authentication system. You own the challenge-response protocol from readout through to decision, and build the interfaces that let our authentication layer work with partner systems such as quantum key distribution hardware.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Develop firmware for PUF readout: challenge generation, optical measurement control and response digitisation
• Implement the challenge-response authentication protocol: enrolment, verification and decision logic
• Develop error-correction and helper-data algorithms for stable key extraction under real-world conditions
• Design and build integration APIs for partner systems, such as external quantum key distribution stacks
• Lead interoperability testing and validation of the combined system, including long-duration and security testing
• Document software architecture and test results for product development and project reporting

WHAT YOU BRING

• An MSc in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related field
• Strong Python and/or C(++) skills, with real experience controlling hardware (instrumentation, FPGAs or embedded systems)
• Comfort working close to the metal: signal digitisation, timing and low-level protocol implementation
• Experience designing and documenting APIs, ideally for integration with external partners or systems
• An independent, hands-on and entrepreneurial way of working

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with error-correcting codes or helper-data schemes (e.g. from PUF or biometric key extraction)
• FPGA or RFSoC development experience
• Exposure to cryptographic protocols or formal security analysis

WHAT WE OFFER

• The chance to shape the software architecture of our authentication technology from day one
• Direct impact in a growing deeptech spin-out
• A high degree of independence and room for initiative
• Collaboration with research institutes and industrial partners

ABOUT QSA TECHNOLOGY

QSA Technology is a University of Twente spin-out developing photonic chips that give optical and quantum communication networks an identity that can't be copied. Read more about our story and team on our About page .