Niels de Graaf is a skilled Space and Defense Software Engineer at Huld since February 2020, specializing in Independent Software Validation and Verification for critical space missions. Niels has contributed significantly to the HERA planetary defense mission and the REMEC satellite project, focusing on system design and software architecture. Additional experience includes software engineering roles in GNC subsystems and embedded software for the Ariane 6 launch sequence. Niels has also worked in system engineering for CubeSat architectures and provided consultancy on radiation testing for space components. Educational qualifications include a Master in Space and Technology from Luleå University of Technology and a Master's degree in Cybernetics from the Czech Technical University in Prague, complemented by a Bachelor's in Mechatronics Engineering.