Chemist

00100 LEIDOS, INC.; Maryland; On-site; USD 73,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health and Wellness programs

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Non-Kinetic Effects Business Area within Leidos is seeking a Chemist to support DEVCOM CBC at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The role emphasizes synthetic chemistry and toxicology with initial hazard assessments, evaluating synthesis routes, physical properties, stability, and toxicology considerations.

Responsibilities include leading or collaborating on basic and applied research, performing analytical testing across matrices, preparing standards, and generating technical reports. U.S.

Qualifications

• BS degree with 5+ years in chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental science, chemical engineering, toxicology, materials science, or related field.
• Experience conducting laboratory research involving hazardous materials, chemical analysis, environmental fate, or related areas.
• Knowledge of chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques (GC‑MS, LC‑MS, LC‑MS/MS).
• Experience preparing analytical standards and supporting calibration/QA activities.
• Ability to develop lab procedures, test plans, and technical reports.
• Commitment to laboratory safety and proper waste management.

Responsibilities

• Provide principal investigator/technical lead role in basic and applied research for DEVCOM CBC threat agent sciences.
• Participate in agent operations as primary or secondary operator.
• Conduct chemical synthesis, instrumental analysis, and exposure experiments as needed.
• Analyze samples (vapor, soil, water, tissue) for target compounds using GC‑MS, LC‑MS, and LC‑MS/MS.
• Prepare analytical standards and support instrument calibration and verification.
• Document lab procedures, test plans, and progress reports.
• Manage lab operations including inventory, waste disposal, and records.
• Communicate monthly progress to customers and internal teams.

Skills

Chemistry

Toxicology

Analytical techniques

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field

Master's degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

GC‑MS

LC‑MS

LC‑MS/MS

GC‑FPD

Job description

The Non-Kinetic Effects Business Area, part of the Defense Sector at Leidos, currently has an opening for an Chemist at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) facility located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

This is an exciting opportunity to use your synthetic chemistry and toxicology experience to advance the DEVCOM CBC Threat Agent Sciences Mission across basic and applied research programs. Under this role, you will work with both Federal Government staff / officials and other Leidos personnel to perform initial hazard assessments of chemicals by evaluating synthesis routes; physical and chemical properties; stability; and preliminary toxicological considerations.

You may also be tasked with assessment of the persistence, degradation, environmental impacts, and hazards associated with threat materials following dissemination or environmental exposure. This position joins Leidos’ portfolio of support to DEVCOM CBC, including basic and applied research, development, testing and evaluation, and training efforts to support the U.S. Warfighter and ensure our Warfighters maintain battlefield dominance during a chemical and/or biological event.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support new and ongoing basic and applied research programs as a principal investigator, technical lead, or research team member to meet program goals and objectives.
• Routinely participate in agent operations as a primary or secondary operator.
• Activities may include chemical synthesis, instrumental analysis and testing, and controlled environmental‑exposure experiments.
• Analyze samples from a range of matrices—including vapor, soil, water, and tissue—for target compounds and degradation products using analytical instrumentation and methods such as: Thermal desorption Pyrolysis Gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (GC‑FPD); Gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS); Liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS); Tandem liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS/MS).
• Prepare analytical standards from surety material to support instrument calibration and calibration‑verification requirements.
• Determine and evaluate chemical physical properties, including vapor pressure, solubility, density, viscosity, surface tension, flash point, thermal stability, partition coefficient, and acid dissociation constant.
• Develop, revise, and maintain laboratory procedures, test plans, research documentation, and technical reports.
• Support laboratory management activities, including equipment and supply inventory, chemical tracking, waste‑disposal coordination, and maintenance of laboratory procedures and records.
• Prepare monthly progress reports and maintain routine communication with program customers, stakeholders, and internal technical teams.

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree with 5+ years experience in a chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental science, chemical engineering, toxicology, materials science, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience conducting laboratory research involving hazardous materials, chemical analysis, environmental fate, chemical properties, or related technical areas.
• Working knowledge of chromatographic and mass‑spectrometric analytical techniques, particularly GC‑MS, LC‑MS, and LC‑MS/MS.
• Experience preparing analytical standards, performing instrument calibration, and supporting quality‑control or calibration‑verification activities.
• Ability to develop laboratory procedures, test plans, technical reports, and progress updates.
• Demonstrated attention to laboratory safety, chemical inventory control, waste‑management procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical findings to customers and program stakeholders.
• Candidate must be a U.S Citizen.
• Candidate must obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Clearance.
• Enrollment in and maintenance of DEVCOM CBC's Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) certification may be a required condition of this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree with 2+ years experience in aforementioned technical fields.
• Prior experience working across multiple program areas under one role.
• Previous experience with/enrollment in chemical safety and monitoring programs, such as DEVCOM CBC’s Personnel Reliability Program (PRP).

Pay Range: $73,450.00 - $132,775.00. 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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.