Applied Physicist – EO/IR, Quantum Sensors, Optics & Atmospheric with Security Clearance

Alaire Technologies, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaire Technologies seeks a PhD-level physicist to advance electro-optical, infrared, laser, and quantum sensing for Navy systems. You will develop physics-based models and sensor algorithms for maritime environments.

The role combines theory, numerical modeling, signal processing, and experimental validation, with opportunities for collaboration across engineering and government customers.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Optical Physics, or a closely related field.
• Experience with electro-optical systems, IR imaging, or EO/IR sensors.
• Strong modeling and algorithm development skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and validate advanced signal processing and image processing algorithms.
• Develop atmospheric propagation, turbulence, scattering, and radiative transfer models.
• Model, simulate, and predict performance of sensing systems.
• Develop detection, tracking, classification, and sensor fusion algorithms.
• Analyze laboratory and field data to calibrate and improve models.
• Collaborate with engineers to transition research into operational software.
• Lead laboratory tests, field experiments, and at-sea demonstrations.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, and customer presentations.

Skills

EO/IR systems

Image processing

Sensor algorithms

Numerical modeling

Atmospheric modeling

Machine learning for sensing

Statistical detection

Target tracking

Education

PhD in Physics

PhD in Optical Physics

PhD in Atmospheric Science

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C

C++

CUDA

Julia

Job description

Senior Physicist / Applied Physicist – EO/IR, Quantum Sensors, Optics & Atmospheric Modeling

Location: Alexandria, VA / Washington, DC (Hybrid options may be available)

Join Alaire Technologies

Alaire Technologies develops advanced sensing, imaging, and signal processing technologies that provide the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with next-generation operational capabilities. We are seeking an exceptional PhD-level scientist to develop cutting-edge electro-optical, infrared, laser, and quantum sensing technologies for challenging maritime and littoral environments.

If your expertise includes optics, photonics, laser systems, atmospheric propagation, quantum sensing, radiative transfer, or advanced sensor algorithms, we would love to speak with you.

Position Overview

We are seeking a PhD Physicist, Applied Physicist, Optical Physicist, Quantum Scientist, or Atmospheric Scientist to develop advanced sensor algorithms and physics-based models supporting next-generation Navy sensing systems.

This role combines theoretical physics, numerical modeling, signal processing, image processing, atmospheric propagation, and experimental validation to improve the performance of advanced electro-optical, infrared, laser, and quantum sensors.

The ideal candidate has experience developing mathematical models, validating algorithms against experimental data, and solving complex problems involving real-world sensing systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate advanced signal processing and image processing algorithms for EO/IR, laser, lidar, radar, and quantum sensing systems.
• Develop atmospheric propagation, turbulence, scattering, aerosol, and radiative transfer models for maritime and littoral environments.
• Perform modeling, simulation, and performance prediction for advanced sensing systems.
• Develop detection, tracking, classification, target recognition, change detection, and sensor fusion algorithms.
• Analyze laboratory and field-collected sensor data to calibrate, validate, and improve performance models.
• Support optical system modeling, sensor characterization, and algorithm optimization.
• Collaborate with engineers, physicists, and government customers to transition research into operational software.
• Participate in laboratory testing, field experiments, and at-sea demonstrations.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, peer-reviewed publications, and customer presentations.

Required Qualifications

PhD in one of the following:

• Physics
• Applied Physics
• Optical Physics
• Electrical Engineering
• Atmospheric Science
• Photonics
• Optical Engineering
• Quantum Science
• or a closely related technical discipline

Experience in several of the following:

• Electro-optical (EO) systems
• Infrared (IR) imaging
• EO/IR sensors
• Laser systems
• Photonics
• Optical engineering
• Atmospheric propagation
• Atmospheric turbulence
• Radiative transfer
• Scattering theory
• Aerosol modeling
• Signal processing
• Image processing
• Sensor algorithms
• Statistical detection
• Target tracking
• Machine learning for sensing applications
• Numerical modeling
• Computational physics
• Sensor calibration
• Experimental design
• Performance modeling
• Sensor validation

Programming experience with one or more of:

• Python
• MATLAB
• C
• C++
• CUDA
• Julia

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting:

• U.S. Navy
• Marine Corps
• DARPA
• AFRL
• NRL
• Naval Research Laboratory
• DoD laboratories
• Government R&D organizations

Experience with:

• Lidar
• Radar
• EO/IR systems
• Laser sensing
• Optical imaging
• Remote sensing
• Sensor fusion
• High Performance Computing (HPC)
• GPU computing
• MBSE
• Digital engineering

Highly Desired (Quantum Sensor Experience)

Candidates with experience in quantum technologies are especially encouraged to apply.

Examples include:

• Quantum sensors
• Quantum optics
• Quantum photonics
• Quantum metrology
• Atomic physics
• AMO Physics
• Precision measurement
• Laser spectroscopy
• Cold atom systems
• Atom interferometry
• Optical frequency standards
• Quantum magnetometers
• Quantum gravimeters
• Quantum inertial navigation
• Quantum accelerometers
• Quantum gyroscopes
• Quantum clocks
• NV-center sensing
• Atomic clocks
• Optical clocks
• Frequency combs
• Bose-Einstein Condensates
• Optical trapping
• Laser cooling

Ideal Background

We are interested in scientists who have worked in areas such as:

• Optical Physics
• Applied Physics
• Quantum Physics
• Experimental Physics
• Computational Physics
• Atmospheric Physics
• Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Remote Sensing
• Electro-Optics
• Infrared Imaging
• Imaging Science
• Computer Vision
• Signal Processing
• Sensor Development
• Defense Research
• Naval Sensing
• Aerospace Sensors