Photonics Scientist

Leidos LLC; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holidays

401K

Flexible Schedule

Stock Purchase Plan

Education Support

Parental Leave

Job summary

Leidos seeks a Photonics Scientist in the INTEL Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA) to advance photonics test and design in Arlington, VA. You will lead testing and characterization of edge-coupled integrated quantum photonic devices and may perform design and simulation work for high-fidelity models.

Responsibilities include developing novel approaches in nonlinear optics, electro-optics, and single photon detection, plus collaboration with circuit designers and test engineers.

Qualifications

• BS degree in physics or engineering with relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop imaging and testing approaches for integrated photonics.
• Perform numerical optimizations for photonics and quantum systems.
• Design photonic circuits via script-based CAD file creation.
• Build and operate PIC probing hardware setups and components.
• Characterize circuit components on edge- and grating-coupled devices.
• Research emerging photonic technologies and publish findings.
• Collaborate with peers, university, and government partners.

Skills

Python programming

GDS design tools

COMSOL/Lumerical

Photonic circuit testing

Education

BS in Physics/Engineering

MS in a related field

PhD (preferred)

Tools

GDS factory

COMSOL

Lumerical

Python (OO)

Job description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Photonics Scientist in our INTEL Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security! Photonics Scientist will be based in our Arlington, VA office to further advance our test and design capabilities in integrated photonics both internally and on direct government programs.

This role will take the lead in performing testing and characterization of edge-coupled integrated quantum photonic devices. In addition, you may perform simulation and design work to build high-fidelity models for these photonic devices, which fall in the areas of Quantum Sensing and Networking. In this position, you will collaborate closely with other circuit designers and test engineers to understand requirements and provide the necessary support to ensure successful completion of project goals and tasks.

The candidate will be responsible for developing and applying new approaches in integrated photonics on topics such as non-linear optics, electro-optics, frequency conversion, and single photon detection.

This is a hybrid role and there will be opportunities to be able to do some work remotely

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop innovative approaches to integrated photonics for component modeling, design, and testing.
• Perform open-ended numerical optimizations in the areas of photonics and quantum science.
• Design photonic circuits through script-based creation of CAD files.
• Design, construct, and operate all necessary PIC probing hardware set-ups and components.
• Characterize photonic circuit components on edge-coupled and grating-coupled devices using specialized probing hardware.
• Research and evaluate emerging photonic technologies.
• Participate in scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed literature.
• Work collegially with a talented team of peers as well as university and government collaborators.

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or a similar technical field with 4- 8 years of relevant industry experience, or MS degree with 2-4 years of industry experience.
• Experience with optimization of photonic components using simulation tools (COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent).
• Experience designing and building optical probing hardware set-ups, developing PIC test plans, and characterizing photonic circuit components.
• Research experience in the areas of nonlinear optics, atomic physics, quantum information science, and/or quantum photonics.
• Strong proficiency in Python programming and object-oriented programming.
• Familiarity with GDS factory or similar design tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills and ability to work independently on complex tasks and lead technical efforts.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Must be a US CITIZEN and be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or other equivalent area of expertise.
• Experience with PDKs, semiconductor or nanofabrication processing, and packaging of photonic integrated circuits.
• Experience conceptualizing and implementing new networking approaches and protocols.
• Experience with quantum sensing or communications.

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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: September 2, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 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 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 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.

Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

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.