Atomic Physicist / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland)

National Security Agency Inc; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences seeks an Atomic Physicist to serve as an Experimentalist and Technical Program Manager. You will lead research on atomic qubit devices and fault-tolerant quantum computing, focusing on trapped-ion and neutral-atom platforms.

You will collaborate with government, industry, and academia to set goals, advance strategies, and drive investments that strengthen national security through quantum information science.

Qualifications

• Experience with trapped ion systems or neutral atom arrays, including qubit prep/cooling, transport, and readout.
• Hands-on experience with optical tweezers, laser control systems, and related optics/electronics.
• Understanding of quantum error correction and multi-qubit protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee projects shaping the future of U.S. computing interests.
• Collaborate with scientists across government, industry, and academia to identify research gaps.
• Direct strategies for U.S. investments in quantum information science.
• Advance U.S. leadership in QIS for national security.

Skills

Quantum hardware

Trapped-ion systems

Neutral-atom qubits

Quantum control

Job description

Responsibilities

NSA is home to one of the largest and most established in‑house research organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), employing scientists with world‑class skills in fields such as mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity. We collaborate with leading industries, universities, and national laboratories to advance core competencies, leverage work in overlapping disciplines, and solve some of the most challenging national security problems thought to be intractable by adversaries and commercial industry. NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) attracts top technical talent who not only solve the nation's urgent intelligence problems, but also invent what hasn't been invented and concentrate on what will be needed five, ten, fifteen years down the road. Through its partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD), LPS offers a unique environment where university, industry, and federal government scientists collaborate on research in advanced communication, sensing, and computer technologies. To learn more about LPS, visit: https://www.lps.umd.edu LPS is currently seeking an experienced Atomic Physicist to serve as an Experimentalist and/or Technical Program Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting research goals and direct research focused on conducting experimental or theoretical studies to further understanding of the fundamental limitations of atomic qubit devices and platforms. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience working with trapped‑ion or neutral‑atom systems for fault‑tolerant quantum computing. As a valued member of the LPS team, you will leverage your expertise, ideas, and vision to:

• Lead and oversee projects that shape the future of U.S. computing interests
• Collaborate with leading scientists in quantum computing across government, industry, and academia to understand the latest state‑of‑the‑art research, and identify future research gaps and needs
• Implement strategies by directing U.S. Government investments
• Advance U.S. leadership in Quantum Information Science (QIS) for the benefit of the entire nation

Experience in the following areas related to trapped‑ion and neutral‑atom systems is desired:

• Quantum hardware development and operation: direct experience with trapped ion systems or neutral atom arrays, either in simulation, modelling, fabrication or manipulation of qubit preparation/cooling, qubit transport, gate operations and readout
• Quantum supporting technologies and methods: hands‑on experience with static and RF trap development, optical tweezers, laser control systems, and related optical and electronic subsystems such as spatial light modulators, acousto‑optic deflectors/modulators, electro‑optic modulators, beam combiners, high‑power optical system, and fiber‑chip coupling/alignment.
• Quantum protocol development and performance evaluation, from single qubits to multi‑qubits and quantum error correction
• Characterization and analysis of the physical constraints of quantum systems
• Evaluating current or future opportunities and limitations based on past, current, and projected performance
• Maturing quantum technologies through multiple stages of development and levels of maturity
• Several layers of a quantum information system hierarchy, from micro‑physics to logical, and how each level impacts qubit performance

Responsibilities

NSA is home to one of the largest and most established in‑house research organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), employing scientists with world‑class skills in fields such as mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity. We collaborate with leading industries, universities, and national laboratories to advance core competencies, leverage work in overlapping disciplines, and solve some of the most challenging national security problems thought to be intractable by adversaries and commercial industry. NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) attracts top technical talent who not only solve the nation's urgent intelligence problems, but also invent what hasn't been invented and concentrate on what will be needed five, ten, fifteen years down the road. Through its partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD), LPS offers a unique environment where university, industry, and federal government scientists collaborate on research in advanced communication,