Quantum Photonics Scientist

The Leidos Innovation Center (LInC) Quantum Technologies Team has an opening for a Quantum Photonics Scientist with a background quantum technologies / quantum information science, specifically with focuses on quantum optics and chip integrated photonics. While experience with photonic-based computing hardware may be beneficial background, this is NOT a position for quantum computing efforts or interests. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help grow the Leidos quantum technologies portfolio of contract and internal R&D projects, benchmarking, and operational prototypes.  In this position, the Quantum Photonics Scientist will participate in the full life cycle of research & development of chip integrated photonics and free space optical systems for the study of quantum-enabled remote sensing and communications. Ideal candidates should be interested in a career devoted to applied research and development with strong experimental, hardware skills and should be interested in maturing technologies from concept to prototype. We seek intermediate level candidates (graduates with Masters/PhD, or 2 to 5 years of experience outside of academia).

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, build, characterize, and analyze optics/optoelectronics/photonics experiments in various systems and platforms for cutting edge devices in quantum communication, sensing, and precision positioning, navigation, and timing
• Perform laboratory and field tests to prove and validate quantum experimental theories as viable products in applicable domains, and benchmark results within the field
• Writing proposals, publishing papers, attending and presenting at conferences, and briefing internal and external customer
• Collaborate with other team members, engineers, and scientists across the company and different fields to leverage quantum technologies to achieve organizational goals

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or related fields
• Research experience and experimental background in one or more of the following areas: quantum optics, chip integrated photonics, quantum entanglement, photonics, quantum communications, quantum information science
• Experience in photonic design simulation with tools such as Lumerical, Tidy3D, or COMSOL, and RF Circuit simulation tools such as Sonnet or Microwave Office
• Background in layout design, tapeout, and design rule checking
• Experience in packaging of photonic integrated circuits, such as fiber and electrical connections, analog and digital circuits, and PCB experience
• Familiarity with optics lab design, set up, and operation and photonic chip characterization
• Experience developing innovative solutions based upon the application of relevant research results from a wide variety of sources
• Experience building and benchmarking hardware and 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, such as Python, Matlab, and Labview
• 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

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering, or related fields
• Background in management and execution of foundry and cleanroom processes, understanding of process flow, and simulations to inform foundry processes
• Extensive experience researching in any of quantum sources, sensing, low photon detection correlation, and quantum information technology
• Experience and domain knowledge related to data processing
• Interest and experience in quantum communications, quantum networks, quantum sensing
• Demonstrated experience in proposing and winning independent research funding
• Electronics and computer automation of laboratory experiments
• Experience with big data applications, data science, or data analytics methods and tools
• DoD Top Secret Clearance

Original Posting Date:

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:

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.