Quantum Photonics Engineer

Posted:
1/16/2026, 12:34:50 AM

Location(s):
Huntsville, Alabama, United States ⋅ Alabama, United States

Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level

Field(s):
Mechanical Engineering

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Quantum Photonics Engineer in our Intel Sector - 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!  

Job Description:

The Quantum Photonics Engineer to further advance our design capabilities in integrated photonics. This role will include performing simulation, design, and layout work to build integrated photonic devices for quantum applications. In addition, you will develop high-fidelity models for these photonic devices, which fall in the areas of Quantum Sensing and Communications. 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.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Simulate and design photonics components

  • Develop photonic integrated circuits through Python programming

  • Collaborate with fabrication and test teams to deliver promising solutions

Basic Qualifications:

  • Degree in physics, engineering, or other equivalent area of expertise and 4+ year of experience

  • Strong proficiency in object-oriented programming and software development best practices

  • Experience with optimization of photonic components using simulation tools (Lumerical, Tidy3D, or equivalent)

  • Familiarity with GDSFactory, KLayout, or similar design tools

  • Experience with open-ended numerical simulations and optimizations

  • Strong analysis, design, and problem-solving skills

  • Expert in Python programming

  • US citizenship with an active Top Secret clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Team-based software engineering experience (version control, concurrent development, etc.)

  • Expertise and experimental background in nonlinear optics, atomic physics, quantum information science, and/or quantum photonics

  • Experience with nanofabrication processes and process design kits

  • Experience with design and packaging of heterogeneous devices

  • Experience creating GDSII/OASIS files programmatically

  • Strong background in data analysis and visualization

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:

January 16, 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

Website: https://www.leidos.com/

Headquarter Location: Reston, Virginia, United States

Employee Count: 10001+

Year Founded: 1969

IPO Status: Public

Industries: Computer ⋅ Government ⋅ Information Services ⋅ Information Technology ⋅ National Security ⋅ Software