Senior / Principal Software Architect (QKD Management Platform)

Position: Senior / Principal Software Architect (QKD Management Platform)

Location: On-Site (Islamabad - Pakistan)
Experience: Minimum 10+ years

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior / Principal Software Architect (10+ years experience) to lead the design and development of a secure management platform for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. This role requires deep expertise in software architecture, secure system design, and backend/platform engineering for critical infrastructure environments.

This is a high-impact architecture role focused on building secure, scalable, and mission-critical systems for next-generation quantum communication infrastructure. You will play a key role in defining the technical foundation of a cutting-edge QKD management platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and design a secure management software platform for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems
• Develop orchestration, configuration management, monitoring, and operational workflow systems
• Define and implement management interfaces including RESTCONF, NETCONF, SNMP, YANG models, CLI tools, and UI-based management applications
• Design scalable, secure, and highly reliable software systems suitable for critical infrastructure environments
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software engineering, systems engineering, and cybersecurity specialists to define robust platform solutions
• Drive software quality through architecture reviews, test strategy definition, CI/CD pipeline design, documentation, and secure development practices

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field
• 10+ years of professional experience in software architecture and system/backend development
• Strong expertise in modern programming languages such as Python, C++, C#, Java, or similar
• Proven experience designing complex management, orchestration, or distributed systems (preferably containerized environments)
• Strong understanding of object-oriented design, modular architecture, API design, and maintainable software systems
• Hands-on experience with Linux-based systems and network management technologies
• Experience with REST APIs and protocols such as RESTCONF, NETCONF, SNMP, YANG, or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles and secure software design practices
• Experience with Git, automated testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and technical documentation
• Experience working in agile, cross-functional engineering environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in critical infrastructure, telecommunications, cybersecurity, or high-availability systems
• Familiarity with cryptography, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), or key management systems
• Experience building user-facing management interfaces or web-based dashboards
• Understanding of secure development lifecycle (SDLC) practices or certification-driven development environments

Core Technical Skills

• Strong structured programming skills in C/C++
• Linux programming
• Bash scripting
• Python
• Linux OS setup and configuration
• Virtual machines and VM deployments
• Kernel-level development and drivers
• Embedded Linux environments (Debian, SUSE, etc.)

Systems & Networking Expertise

• IP network system architecture
• System management protocols (SNMP, RESTCONF, YANG)
• Encryption standards and secure system design
• Proven ability to:
• Architect systems with cybersecurity built into the full lifecycle
• Design for high uptime, resilience, and operational reliability

Engineering Practices

• Source control systems (Git)
• CI/CD pipelines
• Unit testing and documentation
• Comfortable working in:
• Agile development environments
• Fast prototyping and lean project management (e.g., Jira)
• Heavy user of AI-assisted development tools, including:
• GitHub Copilot
• Claude Code or similar integrated agents

Optional / Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of Electronics and hardware design
• Reading schematics
• Hardware debugging and use of test/measurement equipment
• Experience with:
• Telecommunications hardware systems
• Common Criteria and certified security products

How to Apply

Kindly fill out the following details accordingly:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfixpNyVGRYqIZAfQmMcNdGc92w4sOqDuw6xbCOAf6v88zSDw/viewform

• Details of system-level or security-critical projects you’ve worked on
• Examples of systems you’ve architected or contributed to
• GitHub or technical portfolio (if available)

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Islamabad: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Location:

• Islamabad (Preferred)

Work Location: In person