Description
The Leidos Quantum Incubator has an opening for a Quantum Networking Theorist with a background in quantum information science. 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 Quantum Networking Theorist 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 mathematical and software skills and should be interested in maturing technologies from concept to prototype.
Primary Responsibilities
Design, simulate, and analyze cutting edge devices in quantum communication, sensing, and precision positioning, navigation, and timing
Develop new concepts for quantum communication and distributed quantum device protocols
Design software to create high-fidelity simulation of quantum communications, photonics, or sensing experiments.
Collaborate with other team members, engineers, and scientists across the company and different fields to leverage quantum technologies to achieve mission goals
Multiple openings at various levels. The various position’s minimum education and experience requirements are as follows:
T3: Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or related fields and 4+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
T4: Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or related fields and 8+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
Basic Qualifications:
Research experience in one or more of the following areas: CV and DV quantum optics, quantum entanglement structure theory, quantum communications protocols, quantum information science, quantum error correction, and entangled quantum sensing
Familiarity with quantum information software tools such as Qiskit, Pennylane, SeQUeNCE, QuTIP, etc.
Experience developing innovative solutions based upon the application of relevant research results from a wide variety of sources
Strong theory and analytical skills
Strong technical writing skills with experience in writing advanced technical proposals.
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, such as Python, Matlab, and Mathematica
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:
PhD in physics, mathematics, applied physics, engineering or related fields.
Extensive experience researching in quantum information and communication theory
Familiarity with stabilizer error correcting approaches as well as nontraditional approaches such as GKP, cat codes, and error detecting codes
Familiarity with theory and applications of quantum networks such as distributed quantum algorithms, network nonlocality, distributed quantum sensing, etc.
Comfort with tools ranging from numerical simulation to mathematical proof to demonstrate viability of quantum information concepts
Experience with covert quantum communications protocols such as QKD, QSDC, entanglement-assisted communication etc.
Experience with quantum-classical hybrid processing
Interest and experience in quantum communications, quantum networks, quantum sensing
Demonstrated experience in proposing and winning independent research funding
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
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 $85,150.00 - $153,925.00
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.
