Quantum Communications Scientist

The Leidos Innovation Center (LInC) Quantum Technologies Team has an opening for a Quantum Communications Scientist with a background in quantum technologies / quantum information science, specifically with focuses on quantum optics and communications over fiber optics and/or free space. While experience with quantum computing 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 communications portfolio of contract and internal R&D projects, benchmarking, and operational prototypes.  In this position, the Quantum Communications Scientist will participate in the full life cycle of research & development of quantum communications protocols and hardware 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

• Support ongoing research projects in quantum communications
• 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 and 4+ years of experience; Master's degree with 2+ years of experience
• Research experience and experimental background in one or more of the following areas: photonics, quantum communications, quantum information science, quantum optics, chip integrated photonics, quantum entanglement
• Demonstrated background in quantum communications hardware, protocols, lab or field deployment/testing
• Familiarity with communications and optics lab design, set up, and operation
• 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
• Experience in photonic design simulation with tools such as Lumerical or Tidy3D
• 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.