Electronics Design Engineer

The Role 

The Electronics Design Engineer will be a member of the hardware team delivering low-noise, high-frequency mixed-signal control and instrumentation for our QKD systems. The role spans end-to-end board design in Altium (schematics, layout, DFM/DFT), precision analog signal chains, prototype bring-up/validation, and, where needed, STM32 (F4/H7) firmware in C for control, calibration, and integration. You will work with existing automated measurement software in Python and extend it where needed, collaborate closely with optics, FPGA, and software, and support manufacturing. 

The Responsibilities 

The Electronics Design Engineer should expect to work in the following activities. 

• Hardware design, prototyping, and validation 
  • Owning hardware architecture and component selection for precision, lownoise, and highfrequency performance 
  • Designing lownoise analog and mixedsignal schematics and PCB layout in Altium 
  • Managing prototype builds and vendors; executing bringup; precision and highfrequency measurements (DC accuracy, noise spectral density, longterm drift, frequency response); lab debug and reworks 
  • Working with existing automated measurement software (Python) and extending it where needed 
• Firmware development on STM32 and interfacing in Python (secondary scope)
  • Designing and modifying STM32 F4/H7 firmware in C (HAL)
  • Interfacing with Python drivers/scripts for control and data acquisition 

• Test automation and CI
  • Building and extending automated board/firmware test setups (Python; instrument control via VISA/SCPI through the existing automated measurement software) to capture logs/metrics
  • Establishing repeatable build/test pipelines for firmware and board validation; archiving artifacts, measurements, and calibration data 

• Manufacturing support and releases
  • Producing manufacturing packages; supporting vendors through fabrication and assembly; designing/maintaining simple test fixtures
  • Owning hardware/firmware versioning and release notes; maintaining traceable revisions 

• Cross-team collaboration and documentation
  • Collaborating with optics/FPGA/software on interfaces, calibration, timing/latency budgets, and integration
  • Authoring design docs, analyses and budgets, calibration/bringup procedures, and change logs
  • Maintaining detailed experimental documentation in Confluence 

The Requirements 

The Electronics Design Engineer is expected to have the following qualifications and experience. 

• 5+ years analog/mixedsignal electronics design for R&D/instrumentation; strong Altium for schematics and PCB layout; DFM/DFT 

• Deep analog fundamentals: lownoise signal chains (e.g., highfrequency TIAs/preamps, ADC drivers, antialiasing/reconstruction filters), precision references/measurements, grounding/guarding/shielding, lowleakage layout 

• Ability to set/close noise and error budgets; tolerance/Monte Carlo and worstcase analysis; SPICEclass simulation (LTspice/PSPICE, etc.) 

• Lab expertise: precision/HF measurements (DC accuracy, noise spectral density, longterm drift, frequency response, temperature dependency); oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers; VNA as applicable 

• Awareness of EMC/EMI and safety constraints; designforcompliance and precompliance testing 

• Python for lab/test automation and instrument control; Git-centric workflow 

• Proficiency in written and spoken English 

• Ability to be on-site in Munich or Potsdam offices to work with hardware, when required 

• 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: 

• STM32 F4/H7 exposure; C with HAL 

• Familiarity with STM32 bootloaders/updates (DFU/OTA) 

• Experience with calibration flows and production test fixtures

The Rewards  

We are an international team of quantum technology experts and dedicated business creatives that 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 & 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 is to pioneer quantum technologies to change the world for good,
• Our vision is to lead the quantum revolution and be the trailblazer in technology solutions, shaping a better future for humankind to thrive in, and
• Our mission is 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.