QNu Labs is India's pioneering quantum cybersecurity company. We have built and deployed fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) across terrestrial networks. Our next frontier is space. We're hiring a hands-on leader to take our satellite QKD programme from lab prototypes to a qualification-ready space payload and optical ground station. You will personally lead the integration and test campaign, not just oversee it. You'll report to the SVP – Innovation. WHAT YOU'LL OWN
• Mission and system architecture: LEO downlink QKD (decoy-state and entanglement-based), requirements flow-down, ICDs, link budget and key-rate model
• Payload integration: quantum source, modulators, timing/control FPGA electronics, and the optical terminal and bus interfaces, taken from engineering model to qualification model to flight model
• Optical ground station: telescope, PAT loop, single-photon detectors, time sync and key post-processing
• AIT and qualification: vibration, shock, TVAC and EMC testing; V&V; plans; anomaly closure; long-range free-space trials
• Programme leadership: schedule, risk, budget and SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR gates; single technical point of contact for platform, launch and ground-station partners
• Team: build and lead 8–12 engineers across optics, FPGA/embedded, software and mechanical/thermal
• Roadmap and IP: entanglement-based and inter-satellite links, constellation key management, patents YOUR FIRST YEAR
• Show end-to-end quantum key exchange in the lab, from the payload engineering model to the ground receiver
• Freeze requirements,



ICDs and the link budget with partners
• Get the qualification model into environmental test, complete a long-range free-space trial, and commit the mission timeline YOU BRING
• Hands-on integration and test on at least one satellite project that reached flight model or flight. You were on the test floor, not just in the review room.
• Ownership of system integration on a space or high-reliability programme: ICDs, AIT, environmental qualification and anomaly resolution
• Working knowledge of QKD (BB84/decoy-state, entanglement-based) and free-space optical links (link budgets, PAT, single-photon detection, timing)
• Experience integrating optics, FPGA/embedded and software into one working system
• Space engineering practice in the ECSS/NASA style: review gates, configuration management, parts and materials control
• A record of leading a multidisciplinary team to fixed external milestones
• A Master's or PhD in physics, EE, optics or aerospace, or equivalent expertise; typically 10+ years of experience Bonus: laser-comm terminals, optical ground-station operations, space-qualified photonics or radiation testing, CubeSat or hosted-payload missions, and publications or patents in quantum communication. WHY QNU
• QNu is recognised under India's National Quantum Mission and has won the National Startup Award and National Technology Award (2022) and ET Best Tech Brands 2025. In this role you'll build sovereign space-quantum capability in India, for the world.

📌 Head – Satellite QKD (Bengaluru)
🏢 QNu Labs
📍 Bengaluru