Senior FPGA Developer (SystemVerilog) for a QKD System at Terra Quantum, Germany

Job Description

Terra Quantum is looking for a Senior FPGA Developer for the core team building its quantum key distribution (QKD) system. The role owns the FPGA architecture and codebase end to end on AMD/Xilinx devices (Artix-7 and Kintex UltraScale): high-rate interfaces, deterministic acquisition, timing and sifting pipelines, and reproducible, versioned bitstreams. You will also set engineering discipline for FPGA work and mentor a junior engineer.

At a glance

• Role: Senior FPGA Developer (SystemVerilog)
• Team: Applied Research (QKD)
• Location: Germany, hybrid (on site in Munich or Potsdam when needed)
• Experience: 5+ years of production FPGA work on AMD/Xilinx
• Work rights: Right to work in Germany required; no visa sponsorship
• Apply: open until filled (re-checked 14 October 2026)

What the role covers

• Own SystemVerilog RTL architecture and implementation on Artix-7 and Kintex UltraScale with Vivado
• Integrate DDR3/DDR4 controllers, PCIe endpoint/DMA and Ethernet/SFP paths, including third-party MAC/PCS IP
• Build deterministic acquisition, timing and sifting layers (packetisation, buffering, alignment, CDC and reset) and bridge them to high-throughput interfaces
• Write and maintain XDC constraints and achieve consistent timing closure with practical floorplanning
• Set up verification with ModelSim/Questa, self-checking testbenches and Python/cocotb co-simulation, plus CI for lint, simulation and builds
• Define AXI boundaries and register maps with the software and firmware teams, and mentor a junior engineer

What Terra Quantum is looking for

• 5+ years of production FPGA development on AMD/Xilinx, with expert SystemVerilog RTL
• Strong constraints and timing work (XDC), CDC and reset design, and practical floorplanning
• Hands-on DDR3/DDR4, PCIe endpoints and DMA, and Ethernet/SFP integration
• A strong verification background with regression testing; OSVVM/UVM knowledge is a plus
• Scripted CI for HDL (Tcl, Make, Python), board bring-up and ILA debugging, and system integration with software and firmware
• Mentoring experience, proficient English, the right to work in Germany and eligibility for a U.S. Secret or EU SECRET clearance

Pay and location

Terra Quantum’s posting does not state a salary. The role is hybrid in Germany, with on-site work in Munich or Potsdam when needed.

How to apply

Apply through the official Terra Quantum job posting. Terra Quantum’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 14 October 2026. Terra Quantum states that applicants must already have the right to work in Germany (no visa sponsorship) and must be eligible for a U.S. Secret or EU SECRET security clearance. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.

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