Applied Cryptography Engineer

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are currently looking for an Applied Cryptography Engineer to join our team at our Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Libin, Belgium. At Starion, we offer a hybrid working environment, where you will have the felicity to have some days working form home (as per our policy).

You will be responsible for the entire end-to-end cryptographic integrity of the system, from the physical (quantum) layer to the abstract (MPC) and application (PQC) layers. You will act as the key person that guarantees the security of the entire key generation and delivery chain.

About the project

The International Use Cases for Operational QKD Applications and Services (INT-UQKD) project is developing operational quantum-safe communications capability in international IT environments. This includes implementation of QKD networks connecting Luxembourg, Belgium, Singapore, Canada and the UK.

The definition and validation of use cases is expected to guide future international QKD solutions, with a focus on digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy. Creating real-life operational demonstrations helps with the assessment of technology and security compliance, and identification of related policy requirements.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Leading the security design of INT-UQKD protocol(s), covering the full stack: physical QKD key generation, resilient secret sharing, and the multiparty key delivery application across distributed communication.
• Developing the security models for the cryptographic primitives underpinning the protocol(s), ensuring that their implementation is formally robust against attacks, delivering a key delivery service that aligns with INT-UQKD security and operational requirements.
• Collaborating with the system architect to convert the system architecture into clear, technical requirements that enable the development team to implement the protocols securely and reliably.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• University Degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Experience in applied cryptography with deep theoretical and practical knowledge of the prevalent cryptographic schemes (QKD, Post- Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Multi-Party Computation (MPC), Threshold schemes (e.g. Shamir’s Secret Sharing).
• Ability to design, analyse, and establish formal security proof of complex multi- layered cryptographic protocols against a range of adversities (computational, quantum, insider, etc.).
• System engineering experience with the ability to prepare documents following security requirements.
• Desire to work both independently and as part of a team, in an international, multicultural environment.
• Solution orientated mindset, with customer focused communication skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

The following skills would be highly desirable.

• Experience with Model Based System Engineering (MBSE)
• Experience with operation and / or security assessment of quantum-safe
• Experience in project execution following international standards, such as space (ECSS, CCDS, IDSIS), military (MIL-STD, NATO) or regulatory (ETSI, ITU, 3GPP) standards.
• Experience in creating cybersecurity test plans, performing critical (including space-related) system cybersecurity testing, and analysing test results.
• Familiar monitoring protocols and OS tools, such as SNMP or Syslog.
• Familiar with secure software development life cycle (SDLC) principles and practices.
• Knowledgeable with automated software deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications (Kubernetes)
• Eligibility for NATO and/or EU Security clearances.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work with with projects from leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.