Quantum Communications Intern

The Leidos Innovation Center (LInC) Quantum Incubator has openings for theoretical and experimental Quantum Communications Interns with a background in quantum technologies / quantum information science. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help grow and contribute to the Leidos quantum communications portfolio of contract and internal R&D projects, benchmarking, and operational prototypes.  In this position, the intern will participate in the full life cycle of research & development of experiments and software platforms for the study of quantum communications and networking. Ideal candidates should be interested in a career devoted to applied research and development with strong experimental and software skills and should be interested in maturing technologies from concept to prototype.  

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, perform tests, and analyze optics/optoelectronics/photonics use cases in various systems and platforms for cutting edge devices in quantum communications
• Design software to create high-fidelity simulation of quantum communications, photonics, or sensing experiments.
• Perform laboratory and field tests to prove and validate quantum experimental theories as viable products in applicable domains, and benchmark results within the field
• Mathematical modelling and simulation of quantum communications protocols
• Collaborate with other team members, engineers, and scientists across the company and different fields to leverage quantum technologies to achieve organizational goals

Basic Qualifications

• Pursuing bachelor's or graduate degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or related fields
• Research experience and experimental background in quantum communications and quantum optics
• Research experience or experimental background in one or more of the following areas: quantum optics, chip integrated photonics, quantum entanglement, photonics, quantum communications, quantum information theory, and/or quantum error correction theory
• Familiarity with photonic states, quantum sensing, and/or quantum communications
• Demonstrated experience with quantum information simulation tools such as IBM Qiskit, Strawberry Fields, or NumPy/SciPy
• Ability and willingness to quantitatively substantiate ideas at the theoretical level, i.e. proofs, derivations and/or simulations
• Strong understanding of the cybersecurity implications of quantum communications and quantum cryptography.
• Strong proficiency in Python, Matlab, C, or C++
• Experience developing innovative solutions based upon the application of relevant research results from a wide variety of sources
• Experience building and benchmarking software prototypes, to include metrics development, and theoretical/analytical/computational skills
• Strong technical writing skills with experience in writing advanced technical proposals.
• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance
• Strong desire to learn new technologies and flexibility to change from one project to another quickly
• Experience with standard programming languages for analytics or scientific applications
• Ability to effectively communicate to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Highly motivated to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present research at conferences

Preferred Qualifications

• Pursuing graduate degree in physics or related field
• Extensive experience researching and designing experiments quantum communications and/or quantum information technology
• Extensive research experience in any of quantum sources, networking, communications, sensing, and quantum information theory
• Strong familiarity with the tools of quantum information theory such as: characterization of entanglement and of measurement schemes; relevant continuous-variable/discrete-variable quantum error correction protocols such as GKP and cat codes/stabilizer codes and dynamical decoupling; standard networking and communication protocols for quantum systems (classical networking not expected but is a plus). 
• Laboratory experience is not required but is a plus
• Experience with high-performance computing, standard sensing modalities such as Rydberg atoms or Silicon vacancies, or formal verification languages such as Coq and Lean all a plus
• Experience operationalizing machine learning and/or autonomy, and analytical capabilities
• Experience and domain knowledge related to data processing
• Interest and experience in quantum communications, quantum networks, quantum sensing and technology relevant to their deployable environments, such as space systems and science
• Demonstrated experience in proposing and winning independent research funding
• Electronics and computer automation of laboratory experiments
• DoD Top Secret Clearance

Original Posting:

March 3, 2025

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $46,800.00 - $84,600.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) 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.