Description

The Leidos Quantum Incubator is looking for thought leaders with a strong background in quantum technologies / quantum information science, specifically with focuses on quantum optics, sensing, and communications. This is NOT a position for quantum computing efforts or interests. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help grow the Leidos quantum technologies portfolio of contract and internal R&D projects, benchmarking, and operational prototypes.  In this position, the Senior Quantum Scientist will participate in the full life cycle of research & development of optical systems for the study of quantum-enabled remote sensing and communications. Ideal candidates should be interested in a career devoted to applied research and development with strong experimental, hardware skills and should be interested in maturing technologies from concept to prototype.

Primary responsibilities:

• Design, build, perform tests, and analyze quantum experiments in various systems and platforms for cutting edge devices in quantum communication, sensing, and precision positioning, navigation, and timing

• Perform laboratory and field tests to prove and validate quantum experimental theories as viable products in applicable domains, and benchmark results within the field

• Write proposals, publish papers, attend and present at conferences, and briefing internal and external customer

• Collaborate with other team members, engineers, and scientists across the company and different fields to leverage quantum technologies to achieve organizational goals

Multiple openings at various levels. The various position’s minimum education and experience requirements are as follows:

• T4: Bachelor’s degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or related fields and 8+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

• T5: Bachelor’s degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, or related fields and 12+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Research experience and experimental background in one or more of the following areas: quantum optics, quantum entanglement, photonics, quantum communications, quantum information science, quantum sensing

• Experience developing innovative solutions based upon the application of relevant research results from a wide variety of sources

• Experience building and benchmarking software prototypes, to include metrics development, and theoretical/analytical/computational skills

• Strong technical writing skills with experience in writing advanced technical proposals.

• Provide business development support to help grow Arlington Branch’s project portfolio

• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance

• Strong desire to learn new technologies and flexibility to change from one project to another quickly

• Experience with standard programming languages for analytics or scientific applications

• Ability to effectively communicate to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Highly motivated to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present research at conferences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering, or related fields

• Extensive experience researching quantum sensing, communications and/or quantum information technology

• Experience operationalizing machine learning and/or autonomy, and analytical capabilities

• Experience and domain knowledge related to data processing, aerospace engineering, payload design, satellites

• Demonstrated experience in proposing and winning independent research funding

• Electronics and computer automation of laboratory experiments

• Experience with big data applications, data science, or data analytics methods and tools

• DoD Top Secret Clearance

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:

November 20, 2025

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.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.

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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.