QKD System Engineer – European Space Programmes

Please note: Due to mandatory security clearance requirements, only EU nationals are eligible for this position. This role is fully on-site, with activities primarily performed at ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk and CGI’s office in Rotterdam.

Are you a System Engineer with an interest in secure satellite communications and emerging quantum technologies? Would you like to contribute to European programmes where space technology, cybersecurity and quantum communication come together?

CGI is looking for a QKD System Engineer to support ESA activities related to Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI).

In this role, you will work at the forefront of secure European communications, supporting system engineering activities across space, ground and user segments and contributing to the development of future European quantum-secure communication capabilities.

Your role in our team

As a QKD System Engineer, you will provide system engineering support to ESA in relation to in-house activities for EuroQCI Entrusted Tasks.

You will work in a highly technical and international environment and contribute across multiple engineering domains, including:

• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
• Ground Segment Engineering
• Satellite and Constellation Engineering
• User Segment Engineering
• Communication Engineering

Your responsibilities include:

• Requirements engineering, analysis and consolidation.
• Defining functional and physical system architectures.
• Performing technical design trade-off analyses.
• Defining and managing interfaces between systems and segments.
• Supporting verification and validation planning.
• Performing technical risk assessments.
• Reviewing technical documentation and engineering deliverables from industrial partners.
• Supporting ESA during key industrial milestones, including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR) and Qualification Reviews (QR).
• Preparing review comments and participating in technical review meetings.
• Engaging in technical discussions with industrial partners to support the resolution of review items.
• Preparing Technical Notes, Review Item Discrepancies, trade-off reports and verification and validation documentation.

Occasional travel to industrial sites may be required.

What you need to be successful

You combine a strong system engineering background with the ability to operate in complex, multidisciplinary technical environments.

You bring:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in system engineering within complex technical environments.
• Knowledge of requirements engineering, system architecture, interfaces, verification and validation and technical risk assessment.
• Experience participating in or supporting engineering lifecycle reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR or similar technical milestones.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to assess complex technical documentation and translate findings into clear recommendations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Experience or knowledge in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum communications, satellite communications, space systems, ground segments or secure communication systems is considered a strong plus.

Experience working with ESA, European institutions or within the aerospace, defence or other security-sensitive sectors is also considered a plus.

Where will you be working?

You will join CGI Space and work on innovative European space programmes together with highly skilled engineers and specialists.

For this assignment, you will work fully on-site, primarily at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, combined with activities from CGI's office in Rotterdam.

You will operate in an international and multidisciplinary environment where space technology, secure communications and innovation come together. Together with ESA, industry partners and CGI colleagues, you will contribute to strengthening Europe's future space and quantum communication capabilities.

AI & Futureproof

Secure communication is entering a new era. Quantum technologies and space-based communication infrastructures will play an increasingly important role in protecting Europe's critical information and digital infrastructure.

Within this role you will:

• Work with emerging technologies in quantum-secure communications.
• Contribute to the development of future European space and communication infrastructure.
• Work across satellite, ground and user segments in a highly complex system environment.
• Continuously develop your expertise in system engineering, space technology and secure communications.
• Help build resilient and future-proof communication capabilities for Europe.

Why CGI?

CGI is one of the world's largest IT consulting companies. Our people keep the Netherlands running. Government agencies, financial institutions, aerospace organisations, infrastructure providers, and companies in the energy, transport and manufacturing sectors rely on CGI every day. We work on meaningful projects that impact the daily lives of millions of people. Our local presence is strengthened by global industry expertise, an extensive ecosystem and colleagues located around the world.

We are proud of the impactful projects we deliver together with our colleagues.

At CGI, we value diversity and inclusion because they strengthen collaboration and lead to better outcomes. We look forward to your contribution to our team! You will work in small, self-managing teams alongside experts in your field.

At CGI, challenging projects go hand in hand with excellent employment conditions:

• Immediate permanent contract.
• Competitive salary based on your experience and seniority.
• 8% holiday allowance.
• Annual bonus and profit-sharing scheme.
• 25 vacation days, 2 CGI Days, and additional seniority leave after three years of service (based on full-time employment).
• Lease car or mobility budget.
• NS Business Card.
• Bicycle scheme.
• Opportunity to invest up to 3% of your salary in CGI shares.
• Monthly gross healthcare allowance of €116,-
• €40 net monthly home working allowance.
• Excellent pension scheme.

Join our team of experts and help shape the future of secure European communications. Apply today!

We will contact you as soon as possible!

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Director Consulting Services, Jeroen Derriks via jeroen.derriks@cgi.com or +31 6 12931235.

Questions about the recruitment process? Please contact Recruitment Business Partner, Ferhun Dogan via ferhun.dogan@cgi.com or +31 6 11484743.

We do not work with external recruitment agencies. Therefore, unsolicited acquisition is not appreciated.

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