Quantum Photonics Scientist

Description

The Leidos Quantum Incubator has an opening for a Quantum Photonics Scientist to further advance our design capabilities in integrated photonics. This role will take the lead in performing simulation and design work to build integrated quantum photonic devices. In addition, you will develop high-fidelity models for these photonic devices, which fall in the areas of Quantum Sensing and Networking. In this position, you will collaborate closely with other circuit designers and test engineers to understand requirements and provide the necessary support to ensure successful completion of project goals and tasks.

We encourage candidates with strong, relevant backgrounds to apply, even if they do not meet all qualifications below.

• Perform open-ended numerical optimizations in the areas of photonics and quantum science
• Design photonic circuits through script-based creation of CAD files
• Collaborate with the Quantum Technologies team to design integrated photonic circuits

• T2:
  Bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, or related fields and 2+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• T3:
  Bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, or related fields and 4+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• T4:
  Bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, or related fields and 8+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

• Experience with optimization of photonic components using simulation tools (COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent)
• Experience with open-ended numerical simulations and optimizations
• 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
• Familiar with GDS factory or similar design tools
• Strong analysis, design, and problem‑solving skills
• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain US government security clearance.

• PhD degree in physics, engineering, or other equivalent area of expertise
• Expert in Python programming
• Expertise and experimental background in nonlinear optics, atomic physics, quantum information science, and/or quantum photonics
• Experience with PDKs, semiconductor or nanofabrication processing, and packaging of photonic integrated circuits
• Experience creating nanofabrication CAD files (Klayout) from python scripting (GDS factory)
• Strong background in data analysis and visualization

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

November 20, 2025

$85,150.00 - $

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.

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation,…