About this role
The Role
The Senior Backend Software Engineer (Lead) will be a member of the core team building the Quantum Key Distribution system. While the focus is on high performance Python services on Linux, the role spans defining clear service boundaries, integrating with FPGA/embedded subsystems, and turning requirements into reliable, observable software.
The Senior Backend Software Engineer owns the overall backend architecture and leads a small team spanning backend development and client-facing integrations. By setting engineering standards, mentoring, and unblocking delivery, they ensure predictable releases and a strong execution cadence while keeping security and operational rigor at the center.
The Responsibilities
The Senior Backend Software Engineer (Lead) should expect to work in the following activities.
- System architecture and team leadership
- Owning the QKD backend architecture: control-plane services, key sifting/post‑processing integration, configuration management, monitoring, and external interfaces
- Defining module boundaries and service APIs; evolving the system toward clear data/control-plane separation
- Leading and mentoring other software engineers; driving code/design reviews, documentation standards, and delivery cadence
- Coordinating with product, optics, FPGA, and embedded teams to plan milestones and de‑risk integrations and demos
- Efficient implementation and hardware/software integration
- Designing and implementing high‑performance Python services on Linux (asyncio, websockets, NumPy); profiling and tuning for latency and throughput
- Developing, profiling, and optimizing QKD post‑processing algorithms (signal handling/processing, error correction/information reconciliation, privacy amplification) to maximize key rate and minimize end‑to‑end latency; applying algorithmic improvements and implementation techniques (vectorization, concurrency/async, memory/layout tuning, C/C++/Rust extensions, SIMD/GPU/FPGA offload where appropriate)
- Defining and maintaining robust interfaces with embedded/FPGA over UART/USB/PCIe/Ethernet; respecting real‑time constraints and failure modes
- Establishing versioned, stable control/data‑plane APIs; building simulators/mocks to unblock parallel development
- Guiding downstream system integration (WebSocket/gRPC/REST) and ensuring clear contracts and backward compatibility
- DevOps, observability, and security
- Building and maintaining CI/CD with Docker and GitHub Actions; automated tests, static analysis, artifact management, and release pipelines
- Establishing observability (structured logging, metrics, tracing) and operational runbooks; improving reliability and debuggability with SLOs/alerts
- Embedding security and crypto hygiene by default: secure transport, secrets management, key handling, and coordination with cryptography stakeholders
- Driving incident response, root‑cause analysis, and continuous improvement across environments
- 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 Backend Software Engineer (Lead) is expected to have the following qualifications and experience.
- 5+ years of Python backend development; 3+ years owning service architecture and leading small teams
- Strong Linux async Python (asyncio, websockets), concurrency (threads/processes), profiling/tuning
- Proven hardware/FPGA/embedded integration over UART/USB/PCIe/Ethernet; stable control/data‑plane API design
- CI/CD with Docker and GitHub Actions; automated testing, static analysis, artifact management
- Production observability (logging/metrics/tracing) and incident/debug practices
- Security‑by‑default mindset: secrets, secure transport, key/crypto hygiene
- Working knowledge of relational/key-value /time‑series stores (PostgreSQL/Redis/Prometheus)
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Ability to be on-site in Munich office several times per week
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 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.
Other facts
About Terra Quantum
Terra Quantum is a leading quantum technology company based in Germany and Switzerland. It provides "Quantum as a Service (QaaS)“ in three core areas, the first one being "Quantum Algorithms as a Service". Here, customers are provided access to an extensive library of algorithms, such as hybrid quantum optimization and hybrid quantum neural networks, which can be used for solving complex logistics problems or pattern recognition, among other things. Terra Quantum also develops new quantum algorithms for its customers or adapts existing algorithms to their specific needs. Secondly, through "Quantum Computing as a Service", Terra Quantum offers its customers access to its proprietary high-performance simulated quantum processing units (QPU), the quantum ecosystem’s physical QPUs, while also developing native QPUs. The third division is "Quantum Security as a Service," through which Terra Quantum offers its unique solutions for secure quantum and post-quantum communications worldwide.
What you'll do
- The Senior Backend Software Engineer (Lead) will own the backend architecture and lead a small team in developing high-performance Python services. Responsibilities include system architecture, team leadership, and ensuring predictable releases while maintaining security and operational rigor.
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