Senior Systems Software Engineer

The Senior Systems Software Engineer will be a member of the core team building the Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) 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

The Senior Systems Software Engineer should expect to work in the following activities:

• System Architecture: Leading and co-owning the QKD software architecture, including control plane services, key sifting/postprocessing integration, configuration management, monitoring, and external interfaces.
• Module Boundaries & Service APIs: Defining module boundaries and service APIs; evolving the system toward clear data/control-plane separation.
• High-Performance Implementation: Designing and implementing high-performance Python services on Linux using asyncio, WebSockets, and NumPy; profiling and tuning for latency and throughput.
• QKD Algorithm Optimization: Developing, profiling, and optimizing QKD sifting and postprocessing algorithms, including signal handling/processing, error correction/information reconciliation, LDPC, and privacy amplification, to maximize key rate and minimize end-to-end latency.
• Algorithm & Hardware Acceleration: Applying algorithmic improvements and implementation techniques such as vectorization, concurrency/async, memory/layout tuning, C/C++ extensions, SIMD, CUDA/GPU, and FPGA offload where appropriate.
• Embedded & FPGA Integration: Defining and maintaining robust interfaces with embedded/FPGA system components over UART/USB/PCIe/Ethernet while respecting real-time constraints and failure modes.
• System Integration: Guiding downstream system integration using WebSockets/gRPC/REST and ensuring clear contracts and backward compatibility.
• Designing for Test: Building mocks, simulators, and automated test systems.
• CI/CD: Building and maintaining CI/CD with Docker and GitHub Actions, including automated tests, static analysis, artifact management, and release pipelines.
• Observability: Establishing structured logging, metrics, tracing, and operational runbooks; improving reliability and debuggability with SLOs and alerts.
• Security & Crypto Hygiene: Embedding security and crypto hygiene by default, including secure transport, secrets management, key handling, and coordination with cryptography stakeholders.
• Performance Benchmarking: 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

The Senior Systems Software Engineer is expected to have the following qualifications and experience:

• 5+ years of Python development and 3+ years leading or co-owning service/system architecture for a hardware-first product.
• Strong Linux async Python experience, including asyncio, WebSockets, concurrency (threads/processes), profiling, and tuning.
• Proven experience with custom hardware integration (MCU, FPGA) over UART/USB/PCIe/Ethernet.
• Experience with CI/CD, Docker, and GitHub Actions, including automated testing, static analysis, and artifact management.
• Experience with GPU & CUDA acceleration/optimization; SIMD familiarity.
• Production experience with observability (logging/metrics/tracing) and incident/debug practices.
• Working knowledge of relational, key-value, and time-series stores, including PostgreSQL, Redis, and Prometheus.
• Security by Default mindset: experience with secrets, secure transport, and key/crypto hygiene.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to be on-site in the Munich office several times per week.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Germany at the time of application. We do not provide visa sponsorship.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain either (a) a U.S. Secret (or higher) security clearance or (b) an EU SECRET (or national equivalent) personnel security clearance. Employment is contingent on meeting applicable government security requirements; eligibility is determined by the competent authorities.

Good to Have

• Experience with QKD systems, cryptography, or high-rate data pipelines.
• Exposure to C/C++ for low-level interfacing and FPGA/embedded ecosystems.
• Familiarity with gRPC/Protobuf, schema/versioning strategies, and Kubernetes.

The Rewards

We are an international team of quantum technology experts and dedicated business creatives who are working to bring quantum-enabled solutions to the global market.

Our brilliant team members enjoy a high degree of freedom working remotely or joining one of our office spaces. We have a vibrant, enthusiastic, passionate and creative culture driven by trust, excellence and continuous improvement.

If you join the Terra Quantum team, you can expect:

• An opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the pioneering field of Quantum Technologies as well as an experienced and progressive Leadership team.
• Gain knowledge of some of the most cutting-edge technology developments in science and engineering.
• A chance to be part of one of Europe’s leading technology firms of the upcoming decades.
• Welcoming, friendly, and professional colleagues.
• A personal development plan with clear goals for advancement.
• A competitive salary.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A diverse and supportive atmosphere, where innovation and initiative are encouraged.

If you are enthusiastic about positively impacting the world and helping to drive the second quantum revolution, let’s talk!

Company Description

Quantum technologies have the potential to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. There have been great advances in all areas of quantum technologies, and new fields of application are opened up every day.

Hybrid computer systems that combine classic high-performance computing with quantum computers are already being used to develop solutions in sectors such as logistics, healthcare, finance, energy, automotive and aerospace. Quantum mechanical predictions are also used to obtain unprecedented precision in measurements, generate unbreakable codes, and form the basis of impenetrable communication networks.

All these developments are happening right now, and they are happening at Terra Quantum.

At Terra Quantum we are building the world’s leading Quantum Technology company. We offer customers world-class quantum technology expertise organized as “quantum-as-a-service”: hybrid quantum algorithms, quantum compute and quantum enabled security solutions.

Through the proprietary quantum cloud, customers have access to a unique technology platform which provides a toolset to solve real-world challenges in the realms of machine learning, optimization and simulation, today. In 2022, the company closed its Series A financing round with a $75m fundraise.

Quantum physics has, in some respects, parallels to the machine language of our computers—the zeros and ones into which our keyboard or touchscreen instructions are translated for execution in the computer—only on a larger scale: it is the machine language of the universe.

The second quantum revolution is based on the control of individual quantum systems, such as individual atoms. We use quantum computers to solve currently unsolvable problems, simulate molecules and their interactions, find drugs for diseases that are not yet curable, find new materials, or make artificial intelligence stronger.

Quantum is now.

Terra Quantum is a future-focused quantum services and technology company working on making the second quantum revolution a reality. Terra Quantum’s activities span all areas, markets, and industries globally.

Our Purpose, Vision & Mission

• Our Purpose: To pioneer quantum technologies to change the world for good.
• Our Vision: To lead the quantum revolution and be the trailblazer in technology solutions, shaping a better future for humankind to thrive in.
• Our Mission: To unleash the power of quantum tech to deliver meaningful solutions today.

Terra Quantum is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity, inclusion and employee well-being.