Space Quantum & Optical Systems Engineer

VT Group (VTG); Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

VT Group (VTG) in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer with strong optical and quantum communications experience to provide SETA support for an IC R&D customer focused on advanced hardware, software, and architectures for mission-critical optical and quantum communication systems.

The role requires evaluating designs, performing risk assessments, and helping develop roadmaps and verification methods for next-generation optical/quantum capabilities.

Qualifications

• Experience with USG program management and acquisition lifecycle processes.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and technical writing communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical reviews, assessments, and risk evaluations of optical and quantum communication system development efforts at the component, subsystem, system, and architecture levels.
• Evaluate designs and technologies including optical terminals, free-space optical links, photonic components, entanglement-based communication architectures, and quantum-enhanced optical subsystems.
• Assess emerging technologies and identify gaps related to high-bandwidth space links, advanced modulation formats, pointing/tracking systems, link budgets, networking performance, and secure quantum-enabled transport architectures.
• Support development of technology roadmaps, requirements, specifications, verification approaches, and transition strategies for optical and quantum system modernization.
• Conduct technical outreach with mission users to capture needs and evaluate applicability of emerging optical and quantum capabilities.
• Prepare system engineering documentation, technical analyses, and program-level briefings to communicate findings and strategic recommendations.
• Provide support to programmatic and acquisition activities, including source selections, lifecycle documentation, and system integration planning.

Skills

Strong communication

Systems engineering

Verbal communication

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics

Master's degree in engineering/physics

PhD or JD

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

VT Group (VTG) in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer with strong optical and quantum communications experience to provide SETA support for an IC R&D customer focused on advanced hardware, software, and architectures for mission-critical optical and quantum communication systems.

The role requires evaluating designs, performing risk assessments, and helping develop roadmaps and verification methods for next-generation optical/quantum capabilities.