Computational Imaging Scientist

NCSL International; San Diego (CA); Presencial; USD 108.000 - 195.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Leidos Defense Space seeks an Optical Engineer specializing in Computational Imaging to advance meta-optic-enabled imaging for edge processing on next-generation space missions. You will design, model, and validate infrared meta-optic systems, integrating hardware with reconstruction and inference algorithms.

In this role you’ll develop simulation tools, evaluate image quality and classification performance, and collaborate with senior engineers across cross-functional teams.

Formación

• BS or MS in Physics, Optics, or related field with relevant experience.
• Experience in computational imaging or closely related field.
• Familiarity with optical design and image reconstruction methods.

Responsabilidades

• Support design, modeling, and experimental validation of infrared meta-optic systems.
• Develop computational imaging models linking optical design, image formation, and inference performance.
• Contribute to simulation tools for hybrid optical-digital imaging systems and end-to-end optimization.

Conocimientos

Fourier optics

Wave propagation

Diffraction

Coherence theory

Optimization methods

ML-based reconstruction

CNNs

Python programming

NumPy

Security clearance

Educación

BS in Physics/Optics

MS in related field

Herramientas

Zemax

CODE V

FRED

COMSOL

Ansys Lumerical

MATLAB

C++

Descripción del empleo

Are you ready for your next career challenge?

The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking an Optical Engineer specializing in Computational Imaging to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in the development of meta-optic-enabled computational imaging systems for edge processing on next-generation space missions. The Space Business Area is transforming space payload solutions through customer-funded programs and internal research and development (IR&D) efforts focused on enabling new capabilities in space-based sensing.

Primary Responsibilities

In this role, you will support the design, modeling, and experimental validation of infrared meta-optic systems integrated with digital reconstruction and inference algorithms. You will develop and apply computational imaging models that connect optical design, image formation, detector response, calibration, image reconstruction, and downstream inference performance.

You will contribute to the development of simulation tools and algorithms for analyzing hybrid optical-digital imaging systems, including forward image-formation models, inverse-problem formulations, reconstruction algorithms, and end-to-end optimization of optical and computational parameters. You will also support design trades and system-level evaluations involving image quality, signal-to-noise ratio, reconstruction fidelity, classification performance, robustness, and computational complexity.

Working closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams, you will help evaluate and mature emerging optical technologies, including metaoptics and optical computing systems, analyze experimental data to inform design decisions, and document results to support internal R&D and program efforts.

This position includes both analytical and experimental responsibilities, with an emphasis on modeling and algorithm development. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across optical simulation, computational imaging, machine learning, and laboratory environments and is interested in developing integrated optical-digital sensing systems.

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in Physics, Materials Science, Optics, or a related field with 8+ years of prior relevant experience or MS with 6+ years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.


• Demonstrated research or development experience in computational imaging or a closely related field


• Experience with Fourier optics, wave propagation, diffraction, and coherence theory


• Experience with optimization methods used in computational imaging, including gradient-based optimization, regularization, or statistical estimation


• Familiarity with machine-learning-based reconstruction or inference methods, including convolutional neural networks or related architectures


• Experience programming in Python using scientific-computing and machine-learning tools such as NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow; experience with MATLAB or C++ may also be applicable


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail


• Must be a U.S Citizen


• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a higher-level clearance (TS/SCI)


• Experience designing or modeling optical systems using Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, or equivalent software


• Experience developing and evaluating machine-learning-based image reconstruction, detection, or classification systems


• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including optical alignment, imaging-system testing, detector characterization, or optical characterization


• Familiarity with diffractive optics, meta-optics, metasurfaces, or nanophotonic inverse-design


• Experience with electromagnetic modeling tools such as COMSOL, Ansys Lumerical, or equivalent


• Record of research contributions demonstrated through publications, patents, conference presentations, or development of relevant computational-imaging systems

Why Leidos?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

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:

August 19, 2026

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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.

About Leidos

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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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.