Quantum Photonics Scientist

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.

Key Responsibilities:

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

Multiple openings at various levels. The various position’s minimum education and experience requirements are as follows:

• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Original Posting:

November 20, 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 $85,150.00 - $153,925.00

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.