Leidos

Jr. Quantum Photonics Engineer

Huntsville, AL Full time

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Junior Quantum Photonics Engineer 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, Immediate Vesting in our 401K, 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!  

The Junior Quantum Photonics Engineer will 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 assist developing 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. We encourage candidates with strong, relevant backgrounds to apply.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Simulate and design photonics components

  • Develop photonic integrated circuits through Python programming

  • Collaborate with fabrication and test teams to deliver promising solutions

  • This is a 100% onsite position in Huntsville, AL

Basic Qualifications:

  • Degree in Physics, Engineering or other equivalent related field and less than 2 years of experience.

  • Proficiency in object-oriented programming and software development best practices

  • Knowledge in Python programming

  • Experience with open-ended numerical simulations and optimizations

  • Strong analysis, design, and problem-solving skills

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

  • Familiarity with GDSFactory, KLayout, or similar design tools

  • US citizenship is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

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

  • Familiarity with GDSFactory, KLayout, or similar design tools

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

  • Experience 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

  • 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 $57,850.00 - $104,575.00

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.