Leonardo · Madrid, Spain

Job Description: We are looking for a Technical Lead to join a cutting-edge space project focused on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) . In this role, you will act as the technical authority on behalf of TPZ, ensuring end-to-end system coherence across space, ground, and user segments , while leading requirements engineering, system design, and validation activities under the ECSS framework. You will play a key role in shaping the technical backbone of a highly innovative mission, contributing directly to secure communications of the future. Key Responsibilities Systems Engineering Lead and oversee system engineering activities, including high-level design of the complete LEO QKD system. Ensure technical and functional consistency across space segment (platform and quantum payload), ground segment (GCS, OGS, KMS), and user segment. Define and maintain the end-to-end system architecture and product tree. Requirements Engineering Lead the identification, analysis, and consolidation of mission and subsystem requirements (Ground Control Segment). Coordinate the definition of preliminary cybersecurity requirements across all segments. Support the definition of Mission Simulator requirements. Design & Development Lead the design of Ground Control Segment subsystems and the integration of the Quantum Uplink Node and its interfaces. Contribute to the Mission Simulator design. Integration, Verification & Validation (IVV) Define and supervise IVV plans at system and subsystem levels. Oversee verification documentation and test plan development. Ensure consistency between requirements, design, simulations, and test results. Operational Concept (CONOPS) Lead the definition and evolution of the end-to-end operational concept. Oversee key management processes, including generation, distribution, and demand planning. Coordinate mission planning and orchestration across space and ground segments. Technical Coordination Act as the cross-functional technical authority within an international consortium (industry, agencies, and research centers). Manage system interfaces and technical trade-offs at a global level. Required Skills & Knowledge Space Systems Engineering Expertise in ECSS standards and methodologies (New Space context preferred). Experience in LEO mission design and analysis. Strong understanding of complex end-to-end space system architectures. Quantum & Optical Communications Knowledge of Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC). Understanding of QKD systems and quantum communication principles. Familiarity with secure communication standards and European programs (EuroQCI, IRIS2). Ground Segment & Operations Experience with Mission Control Systems (MCS). Knowledge of mission planning and optimization. IVV & Requirements Management Strong background in validation and verification of complex systems. Experience with requirements traceability tools and methodologies. Ability to define test scenarios and acceptance criteria. Cybersecurity Understanding of system-level cybersecurity in space and communications systems. Experience applying “security-by-design” principles. Knowledge of QKD-related security concepts. Experience Required Minimum 10 years of experience in Systems Engineering for space missions or complex systems. Proven experience leading requirements and IVV activities in multi-stakeholder environments. Background in mission control systems design and operations planning. Experience in optical communications, satcom, or secure systems. Previous participation in international consortia (industry, agencies, research institutions). Why this role matters Drive the technical coherence of an end-to-end LEO QKD system . Reduce integration and technological risks in an innovative IOD mission. Enable the transition from early design to future operational systems . Take ownership of the Ground Control Segment specification and design. Seniority: Primary Location: ES - Madrid Additional Locations: ES - Barcellona Contract Type: Permanent Hybrid Working:

Leonardo · Roma - Via Tiburtina KM12,400, Italy

Job Description: Leonardo è un gruppo industriale internazionale, tra le principali realtà mondiali nell’Aerospazio, Difesa e Sicurezza che realizza capacità tecnologiche multidominio in ambito Elicotteri, Velivoli, Aerostrutture, Elettronica, Cyber Security e Spazio. Con oltre 60.000 dipendenti nel mondo, l’azienda ha una solida presenza industriale in Italia, Regno Unito, Polonia, Stati Uniti, e opera in 150 paesi anche attraverso aziende controllate, joint venture e partecipazioni. Protagonista dei principali programmi strategici a livello globale, è partner tecnologico e industriale di Governi, Amministrazioni della Difesa, Istituzioni e imprese. Se sei iscritta/o all’Università, frequenti l’ultimo anno Magistrale e devi svolgere una tesi in discipline STEM, Leonardo ti offre l’opportunità di rafforzare il tuo percorso accademico attraverso un’esperienza in azienda.Tutor esperte/i nel proprio settore ti seguiranno, consentendoti di approfondire la parte teorica e di sviluppare la tua tesi, preparandoti al meglio per le sfide professionali future. Le tematiche proposte per le tesi da svolgere in Leonardo abbracciano un vasto spettro di ambiti tecnologici, ricerca e innovazione: dall’Intelligenza Artificiale all’High-Performance Computing, dalla Cyber Sicurezza all’Ingegneria dei materiali, passando per i settori aerospaziali. Potrai esplorare le aree più all’avanguardia del tuo settore di studi, con creatività e spirito di innovazione. Stiamo ricercando per il sito di Roma Tiburtina n. 1 giovane studente o studentessa da inserire in stage con l’obiettivo di sviluppare la propria tesi di laurea sulla tematica di Quantum Communications sul seguente argomento: Quantum Key Distribution with entangled states and free-space comms . Titolo di studio: Laurea triennale in discipline STEM, con interesse sul mondo dell’ingegneria e dell’Informatica. Seniority: Junior Competenze comportamentali: Proattività; Capacità di lavorare in team; Orientamento all’apprendimento; Flessibilità. Conoscenze linguistiche: Conoscenza avanzata della lingua inglese, livello B2-C1. Competenze informatiche: Pacchetto Office; Principali linguaggi di programmazione: Matlab, C, Python Altro: Disponibilità a svolgere brevi trasferte sul territorio nazionale. Come funziona il processo di selezione? A seguito della raccolta delle candidature, vengono valutati e identificati i CV maggiormente in linea con i requisiti richiesti. Le/i candidate/i selezionate/i sostengono un colloquio conoscitivo con il team delle Risorse Umane e con il Business, dove saranno approfondite tematiche tecniche, motivazione e attitudini personali. Al termine del processo, alla/al candidata/o viene restituito un feedback, sia in caso di esito positivo che negativo. Aspettiamo la tua candidatura. Collaborando con noi avrai modo di confrontarti costantemente con le sfide dell’alta tecnologia, di accrescere le tue competenze e costruire un percorso professionale di eccellenza. Seniority: Junior Primary Location: IT - Roma - Via Tiburtina KM12,400 Contract Type: Hybrid Working: Hybrid