From space business developer to quantum cryptography researcher

I used to specialize in the research of quantum communications in university. It is close to what I am working on now, which is quantum cryptography. However, for about three years and a half after joining NEC, I engaged in a completely different job. I was assigned to work at NEC Space Technologies, Ltd., an NEC Group company, for design and development of radio frequency communication devices to be installed on satellites. This is what I originally wanted to do before joining NEC. I believed that the fastest way to expand quantum communications networks (which I researched as a student) to a global scale is to utilize satellites. The reason for seeking a job at NEC was because it was a rare company that engages in both satellite development business and quantum cryptography research.

My three and a half years at NEC Space Technologies was full of excitement and challenges. I soldered and made an electrical circuit that I designed myself for evaluation purposes, I formulated instructions in cooperation with the on-site staff so as to facilitate the flow of the manufacturing inspection process, and sometimes I rushed to investigate the cause of defects in products while delivery time was nearing. It was full of challenges and exciting tasks that were only possible at the forefront of development.

However, later I found that NEC was internally recruiting a quantum cryptography researcher. NEC has an internal transfer system where employees can apply for a position in a different division that is recruiting. While I found development to be rewarding, I wanted to try some other job that is closer in nature to research. I applied for the position and here I am now.

This was a shift to a researcher from a development position in a different field, but I didn’t feel much gap. Not to mention my knowledge of quantum communications from my student days, but also my experience at NEC Space Technologies proved to be very helpful. The intuition to detect key parameters and the measurement ability that captures even the slightest differences were cultivated during the three and a half years of experience while I worked hands-on at the development site. This led to my confidence that I can work fine at a laboratory.

Any experience is an opportunity for learning

After transferring from a business unit to the laboratories, the difference that surprised me first was the freedom of attitude toward tasks. At business units, people are required to minimize failure, which also means that the operational process up to the results must be reported in detail to the supervisor for approval. On the other hand, what is expected at laboratories is not “zero failure,” but rather a “big success.” A wide margin of discretion is granted to each researcher in order to maximize their achievements. While the great deal of freedom does make me feel extra pressure for producing results, the sense of fulfillment is rewarding when you successfully make achievements by working on tasks with ownership. Researchers at NEC Laboratories all work with pride, taking with them such responsibilities and discretion.

What I would like to say to students is that “the first company is not all.” It is a shame if you are narrowing your view or options thinking that you should only work at a certain company or looking into only two companies just because they are the only companies that engage in a specific area of research. We are now living in a world where you have a choice of transferring to another organization after joining a company. My current choice is also quite different from my initial decision, but I was able to make achievements by drawing on my previous job experience. You can always learn something from any experience.

My current goal is to some day make an achievement that I can mark my name in the industry with. It could be a technique, a patent, a product, or any other output. Aiming to achieve a big goal some day, I will continue on with research.