Senior Quantum Scientist

The Leidos Quantum Incubator is looking for thought leaders with a strong background in quantum technologies / quantum information science specifically with focuses on quantum optics sensing and communications. 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 Senior Quantum Scientist will participate in the full life cycle of research & development of 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.

Primary responsibilities :

Design build perform tests and analyze quantum 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

Write proposals publish papers attend and present 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

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

T4 : Bachelors degree in physics applied physics engineering or related fields and 8 years of prior relevant experience . A dditional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

T5 : B achelors degree in physics applied physics engineering or related fields and 12 years of prior relevant experience. A dditional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

Basic Qualifications :

Research experience and experimental background in one or more of the following areas : quantum optics quantum entanglement photonics quantum communications quantum information science quantum sensing

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.

Provide business development support to help grow Arlington Branchs project portfolio

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 :

Ph.D. in Physics Applied Physics Engineering or related fields

Extensive experience researching quantum sensing communications and / or quantum information technology

Experience operationalizing machine learning and / or autonomy and analytical capabilities

Experience and domain knowledge related to data processing aerospace engineering payload design satellites

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

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were 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 $104650.00 - $189175.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.

Required Experience :

Senior IC

Key Skills

Laboratory Experience,Mammalian Cell Culture,Biochemistry,Assays,Protein Purification,Research Experience,Next Generation Sequencing,Research & Development,cGMP,Cell Culture,Molecular Biology,Flow Cytometry

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 104650 - 189175