Senior Quantum Sensing Engineer

About the role

SAIC is seeking a TS/SCI (with Poly) cleared Quantum Sensing Engineer responsible for providing high‑quality advisory services and program planning, implementation, and integration for Quantum Sensing and Networking efforts for Space Applications. The engineer will collaborate with others and work individually on strategies, roadmaps, and recommended solutions for implementing Quantum Sensing and Networking modalities, including atomic clocks, atom interferometers, quantum magnetometers, Rydberg sensors, and single‑photon detectors.

The role involves developing a quantum portfolio with the customer, enhancing current efforts, identifying new modalities of interest, and understanding how to deploy quantum system components into the space environment. Enabling technologies include space‑qualified (radiation‑hardened and temperature‑resistant) electronics, laser optical systems, photonic integrated circuits, vapor cells, space‑qualified photodetectors, and cryogenic systems. The engineer will also support the customer’s Quantum Networking efforts, including design, assembly, deployment, and testing, and will engage government, industry, and academic institutions to leverage expertise.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality advisory services and program planning, implementation, and integration for Quantum Sensing and Networking efforts for Space Applications.
• Collaborate with team members and work independently on strategies, roadmaps, and recommended solutions for quantum modalities.
• Develop and implement a quantum portfolio with the customer, enhancing and broadening current efforts while identifying new modalities of interest.
• Understand and execute deployment of quantum system components into the space environment, including radiation‑hardened electronics, laser optics, photonic integrated circuits, vapor cells, space‑qualified photodetectors, and cryogenic systems.
• Support the customer’s Quantum Networking initiatives, including design, assembly, deployment, and testing of related technologies.
• Engage government, industry, and academic institutions to leverage expertise in quantum sensing and networking domains.
• Evaluate and report on emerging quantum technologies that may impact space applications.
• Perform systems engineering activities such as Concept of Operations formulation, requirements definition, system architecting, interface and data architecture design, validation and verification, system integration, performance analysis, lifecycle cost analysis, decision analysis, and physical configuration analysis.
• Convert product requirements into comprehensive system solutions while considering technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Conduct functional analysis, timeline analysis, detailed trade studies, requirements allocation, and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into component specifications.

Qualifications

• Masters in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Engineering Physics, or a similar field with ≥ 7 years of experience, or Ph.D. in the same disciplines with ≥ 4 years of experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Ability to obtain required clearances (none additional required).
• Full‑time, day‑shift schedule.
• Travel required up to 10 % of the time.
• Location: Chantilly, VA, US.

Skills

• Skilled in experimental quantum physics, physical chemistry, or engineering physics.
• Understanding of quantum mechanics applications in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to transition technology from laboratory to field deployment.
• Strong communication skills for technical discussions and recommendations across program levels, including senior leadership.
• Technical leadership and problem‑solving related to software design, architecture, and execution in an oversight role.
• Ability to operate independently without direct supervision.

Desired Skills and Certification

• Experience in a DoD/IC environment.
• Demonstrated technical writing and briefing abilities.

Pay

Target salary range: $160,001 – $200,000 (typical range based on experience and other factors).