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About us

zerothird is a Vienna-based deep-tech company specialising in entanglement-based Quantum Key Distribution (eQKD). Our technology — rooted in Nobel Prize-winning research on quantum entanglement — enables encryption keys to be generated locally from entangled photon states, making interception physically impossible.

We develop and deploy the full hardware and service stack for quantum-secure communications, targeting critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and government organisations across Europe.

As part of our next-generation hardware platform development, we are looking for an experienced Embedded Systems & FPGA Engineer to join our core engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

Embedded Linux & Firmware

  • Develop and maintain embedded Linux BSPs, including kernel configuration, device tree authoring, and board bring-up.
  • Write Linux device drivers and kernel modules for custom FPGA peripherals and on-board hardware.
  • Implement low-level firmware and middleware in C/C++/Rust for FPGA logic and communication interfaces.
  • Configure and optimize bootloaders and root filesystems for embedded CPU modules.
  • Develop userspace applications and automated hardware testing tools.

FPGA Design & Integration

  • Implement RTL designs in VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog.
  • Integrate vendor and custom FPGA IP cores and define HW/SW interfaces.
  • Support simulation, verification, synthesis, timing closure, and in-system debugging.
  • Collaborate closely during board bring-up and system integration activities.

System Integration & Debugging

  • Debug complex HW/SW/FPGA interactions using laboratory equipment and protocol analyzers.
  • Contribute to system architecture, documentation, and interface specifications.

What You Bring

  • 3–8 years of experience in embedded systems engineering, FPGA development, or mixed HW/SW engineering.
  • Strong experience with embedded Linux, kernel drivers, device trees, and bootloaders.
  • Solid proficiency in C/C++ and/or Rust.
  • Experience with RTL design and FPGA integration.
  • Hands-on debugging experience in hardware environments.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-moving engineering team.

Nice to Have

  • Experience with Rust for embedded systems.
  • Familiarity with RTOS environments such as FreeRTOS or Zephyr.
  • Experience with Xilinx/AMD SoC platforms and toolchains.
  • Scripting experience using Python, TCL, or Bash.
  • Knowledge of PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, or DSP toolchains.

What We Offer

  • The opportunity to work on cutting-edge quantum-secure communication technology.
  • Direct impact on a next-generation hardware platform from concept to production.
  • High autonomy and ownership in a small, highly skilled engineering team.
  • Collaboration within a strong European deep-tech ecosystem supported by EU programmes and leading investors.
  • Long-term growth opportunities into specialist or technical leadership roles.

If you are excited about building cutting-edge quantum communication technology at the intersection of embedded Linux and FPGA development, we would love to hear from you.

The minimum gross salary for this position is €3,824.50 per month (full-time) according to the applicable collective agreement. Depending on qualifications and experience, we offer a highly competitive overpayment.

We look forward to receiving your application!