The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a talented
Optical Materials Scientist to support our Emerging Space Systems Division. In this role, you will drive the development of tunable optical metasurfaces designed to enable multi- and hyper-spectral sensing on next-generation space missions.
Key Responsibilities- Design & Modeling: Lead full-wave electromagnetic modeling to identify, optimize, and evaluate tunable infrared metasurface filters based on phase change materials.
- Performance Simulation: Architect advanced models to analyze the specific impact of tunable filters on the overall performance of infrared sensor systems.
- Fabrication Planning: Research, identify, and establish viable methods to successfully fabricate optimized optical designs.
- Experimental Validation: Create and execute comprehensive laboratory characterization plans to validate modeled performance against real-world data.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate, test, and mature emerging optical technologies.
- Data Analysis & Documentation: Analyze experimental data to inform ongoing design decisions and document technical results to support IR&D and formal program milestones.
Basic Qualifications- Education: BS degree in Physics, Materials Science, Optics, or a related field with 8+ years of prior relevant experience or MS degree with 6+ years of prior relevant. May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.
- Security Clearance: US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain an active DoD Secret security clearance.
- Core Experience: Demonstrated research or development experience specifically in optical and infrared materials.
- Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with full-wave electromagnetic modeling software (e.g., Ansys HFSS, COMSOL, or Lumerical).
- Technical Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the infrared/optical properties of materials (including phase change materials), metamaterials, and metasurfaces.
- Sensor Technology: Foundational familiarity or experience with infrared detector technology.
- Optimization Skills: Experience utilizing optimization methods, including adjoint gradient descent and topology optimization.
- Professional Skills: Strong analytical problem-solving skills, sharp attention to detail, and effective written/verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Active Clearance: Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a higher-level clearance (TS/SCI).
- Cleanroom Experience: Hands-on experience with cleanroom environments and nanofabrication techniques (e.g., electron-beam lithography, photolithography, etching).
- Spaceflight Hardware: Prior exposure to designing optical components intended for space environments or satellite payloads.
- Programming: Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or C++ for automated data collection or custom optical modeling scripts.
- Publication Record: Record of research contributions demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, patents, conference presentations, or development of relevant optical technologies.
Original Posting:August 19, 2026
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.
