Description
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.
Our Space Business Area is actively transforming space payload solutions through customer-funded programs and high-impact internal research and development (IR&D) efforts. If you are passionate about enabling groundbreaking capabilities in space-based sensing and working at the intersection of optical simulation, nanofabrication, and laboratory experimentation, we want you on our team.
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.
Pay Range: $107,900.00 - $195,050.00