Sr. Photonics Scientist

About the role

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Sr Photonics Scientist in our INTEL Sector’s Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Location & Work Arrangement

The Sr. Photonics Scientist will be based in our Arlington, VA office to further advance our test and design capabilities in integrated photonics both internally and on direct government programs. This is a hybrid role with opportunities to perform some work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative approaches to integrated photonics for component modeling, design, and testing.
• Perform open-ended numerical optimizations in the areas of photonics and quantum science.
• Design photonic circuits through script-based creation of CAD files.
• Design, construct, and operate all necessary PIC probing hardware set-ups and components.
• Characterize photonic circuit components on edge-coupled and grating-coupled devices using specialized probing hardware.
• Research and evaluate emerging photonic technologies.
• Participate in scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed literature.
• Work collegially with a talented team of peers as well as university and government collaborators.

Requirements

• BS degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or a similar technical field with 8–12 years of relevant industry experience, or MS degree with 6–10 years of industry experience.
• Experience with optimization of photonic components using simulation tools (COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent).
• Experience designing and building optical probing hardware set-ups, developing PIC test plans, and characterizing photonic circuit components.
• Research experience in the areas of nonlinear optics, atomic physics, quantum information science, and/or quantum photonics.
• Strong proficiency in Python programming and object-oriented programming.
• Familiarity with GDS factory or similar design tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills and ability to work independently on complex tasks and lead technical efforts.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Must be a US CITIZEN and be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or other equivalent area of expertise.
• Experience with PDKs, semiconductor or nanofabrication processing, and packaging of photonic integrated circuits.
• Experience conceptualizing and implementing new networking approaches and protocols.
• Experience with quantum sensing or communications.

Pay

The Leidos pay range for this job level is $107,900.00 – $195,050.00. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.