Implementation Engineer - Quantum Networking & Security

Quantum Foundry is seeking a hands-on Implementation Engineer to own post-sale technical delivery from accepted design handoff through production readiness and operational transition. This role plans site readiness, stages and installs equipment, configures and integrates multivendor solutions, executes testing, resolves implementation issues, maintains accurate documentation, and prepares customer teams to operate and support the deployed environment. The ideal candidate has strong routing and switching experience, disciplined field-engineering practices, customer-facing communication skills, and broad exposure to optical networking, fiber infrastructure, cybersecurity, microsegmentation, encryption, QKD, PQC, and key-management integration

Key Responsibilities

Review the contracted architecture, BOM, scope, assumptions, exclusions, dependencies, POC results, schedule, partner responsibilities, and acceptance criteria before deployment begins.

Lead site-readiness reviews covering rack space, power, grounding, cooling, physical security, fiber paths, optics, cabling, management access, IP addressing, VLANs, routing, firewall rules, certificates, monitoring, and change controls.

Develop detailed designs, implementation plans, Methods of Procedure, rollback plans, test procedures, maintenance-window plans, change-control packages, configuration records, and as-built documentation.

Stage, install, configure, integrate, and validate routers, switches, firewalls, optical systems, servers, encryption platforms, QKD equipment, PQC-enabled products, key-management systems, and supporting infrastructure.

Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP routing, switching, VLANs, segmentation, microsegmentation, VPNs, high availability, network services, monitoring, logging, and management connectivity.

Validate optical and fiber readiness, including connector condition, patching, optics, wavelength plans, end-to-end loss measurements, attenuation, receive levels, continuity, and transport dependencies.

Integrate QKD systems and key-management components with customer PKI, HSMs, certificates, encryptors, routing and switching infrastructure, firewalls, identity platforms, monitoring systems, and change-management processes.

Implement and validate cybersecurity controls, including secure management, access controls, microsegmentation, firewall policy, logging, certificate handling, and secure configuration practices.

Execute functional, interoperability, resiliency, security, performance, failure-recovery, and acceptance testing; collect evidence and manage defects and remediation through closure.

Troubleshoot complex network, optical, fiber, cryptographic, software, API, configuration, and performance issues and coordinate escalation with OEMs, carriers, partners, and internal resources.

Own the field implementation workstream, including technical schedule, daily status, risks, issues, dependencies, customer communications, scope control, and readiness for go-live.

Deliver administrator training, knowledge transfer, operational runbooks, as-built records, customer acceptance materials, and a structured handoff to operations and support.

Support post-go-live stabilization and capture lessons learned, product defects, and reusable improvements for future deployments.

Five or more years of experience implementing, integrating, testing, or supporting enterprise network, security, data-center, or infrastructure solutions in customer environments.

Hands-on expertise in TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, LAN/WAN, VPNs, segmentation, high availability, network services, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Experience with site-readiness assessment, equipment staging, installation, configuration, change control, cutover support, rollback, and customer acceptance.

Ability to develop MOPs, low-level designs, test procedures, rollback plans, as-built documentation, operational runbooks, and customer training materials.

Strong customer communication and project discipline, including the ability to explain risks, manage technical expectations, and coordinate multiple contributors. Ability to travel regularly to customer locations and support scheduled maintenance windows, including evenings or weekends when required.

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, telecommunications, information technology, physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

U.S. work authorization and the ability to travel within the United States for implementation activity.

Desired Experience

Optical networking and fiber infrastructure, including DWDM, coherent transport, optical power and loss measurements, attenuation, fiber inspection, cleaning, troubleshooting, and test equipment.

Cybersecurity implementation involving firewalls, zero trust, network access control, microsegmentation, PKI, certificates, TLS, IPsec, identity, secure management, logging, or vulnerability remediation.

QKD architectures and operations, PQC-enabled technologies, crypto-agility, key-management systems, HSMs, network encryptors, or hybrid cryptography.

Integration of QKD or external key-management systems using certificates, APIs, ETSI interfaces, or vendor-specific protocols. Juniper, Cisco, Arista, Nokia, Ciena, HPE Aruba, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, F5, Kentik, or comparable platforms. Python, shell scripting, APIs, configuration management, automation, test harnesses, or infrastructure-as-code. NIST PQC standards such as ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA and guidance related to quantum-safe migration. Relevant networking, cybersecurity, cloud, Linux, optical, or project-delivery certifications.

Measures of Success Deployments are completed safely, on schedule, within approved scope, and against documented acceptance criteria. Site-readiness gaps and delivery dependencies are identified early and managed effectively. Functional and performance testing succeeds with limited rework and disciplined defect closure. Customer documentation, as-built records, training, and support handoff are complete and usable. Post-go-live stabilization is efficient and customer operations teams are prepared to manage the solution. Reusable automation, configurations, MOPs, and delivery playbooks reduce future deployment effort.

Location U.S.-based; flexible/remote within the United States, with frequent travel to customer and partner sites

Work Authorization U.S. work authorization is required

Employment Full-time Function Professional Services / Customer Engineering

Travel Approximately 30%-50%, including scheduled maintenance and implementation windows

Compensation Competitive base salary, delivery or company incentive, and benefits