Scientist Computational Physicist (Software Focus)

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Computational Physicist within the Energy Group focusing on software development, signal processing, and AI applications for quantum sensor systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced signal processing algorithms for quantum sensor data, including noise modeling, filtering, and signal extraction from quantum magnetometers and gravimeters.
• Design and develop AI/machine learning models for quantum sensor applications, including sensor fusion, anomaly detection, predictive analytics for navigation systems, and optimization of sensor performance.
• Create large-scale data reduction and analysis pipelines for processing multi-terabyte quantum sensor datasets, supporting detection and characterization of faint signals in noisy environments.
• Develop physics-based computational models for quantum sensor performance, including noise sources, environmental effects, and sensor response characteristics.
• Build software systems for quantum sensor-based navigation (PNT - Position, Navigation, and Timing), leveraging quantum magnetometers and gravimeters as alternatives or complements to GPS-denied navigation scenarios.
• Implement real-time data processing algorithms for quantum sensor operation, including adaptive filtering, state estimation, sensor calibration, and feedback control.
• Develop and maintain scientific software systems using Python, C++, MATLAB, and modern software engineering practices including version control (Git), testing frameworks, and comprehensive documentation.
• Conduct statistical analysis and uncertainty quantification for quantum sensor measurements, developing methods to characterize and improve measurement fidelity.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to define data acquisition requirements, optimize measurement protocols, and validate algorithm performance on experimental systems.
• Research and implement quantum communication protocols and quantum sensor networking approaches for distributed sensing applications.
• Address complex and difficult technical issues requiring novel and highly creative computational approaches drawing on advanced scientific concepts.
• Anticipate future computational needs and software modifications required to accomplish technical goals in quantum sensing and navigation.
• Leverage knowledge of internal and external experts to define current state-of-the-art in quantum sensor algorithms, understand deficiencies from real-world application perspectives, and suggest technical solutions and roadmaps.
• Document findings, communicate results to scientific staff, and make technical presentations at internal reviews, customer meetings, and external conferences.
• Publish research in recognized scientific journals and present work at national and international conferences.
• Provide expert guidance and consulting to other staff members on computational methods, signal processing, and AI/ML applications.
• May participate in program reviews, both internal and external, representing software development efforts.
• May coordinate segments of specific projects and have frequent inter-organization and customer contact on difficult technical issues.
• May provide direction to technical staff and less experienced professional staff.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors, Master’s or PhD degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Computational Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or similar discipline with progressively complex scientific experience.
• Four or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, two or more years experience with a Masters degree.
• Broad knowledge of physics principles relevant to quantum sensors, signal processing, and measurement science, with first principles understanding of their discipline.
• Experience in signal processing including time-series analysis, noise modeling, filtering techniques, statistical data analysis, and signal extraction methods.
• Proven software development skills in Python, C++, and/or MATLAB with experience building scientific data analysis pipelines, real-time processing systems, and algorithm development.
• Knowledge of AI/machine learning methods and experience developing models for scientific applications, sensor data analysis, or navigation systems with sufficient understanding to interface with experts in the field.
• Understanding of navigation systems and PNT technologies, particularly quantum sensor-based approaches for GPS-denied environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to develop novel computational approaches to complex scientific problems.
• Excellent communication skills to interface effectively with diverse audiences including technical teams, program managers, external customers, and stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds. Must be able to clearly explain complex technical concepts to non-experts.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q, Secret, Top Secret, and/or SCI clearances as required by program needs.