Applied Physicist IIILeidos
Description
Leidos addresses some of the nation's toughest defense challenges through advanced physics-based modeling, signal processing, and data analytics. Our San Diego-based team consists of highly skilled scientists and engineers focused on extracting maximum intelligence from complex radar and sensor data for both classified and unclassified systems. We are seeking a motivated and inquisitive Applied Physicist who thrives in research, algorithm development, modeling, simulation, and implementation. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong scientific curiosity, sound physical intuition, excellent mathematical skills, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Primary Responsibilities
· Develop physics-based models, simulations, and analysis algorithms that support National Defense applications.
· Research, design, and evaluate innovative approaches for radar/sensor phenomenology, detection, characterization, and data exploitation.
· Apply applied physics, mathematics, and signal processing techniques to extract useful information from complex measured and simulated data sets.
· Perform data analysis, model validation, uncertainty assessment, and performance characterization for algorithms and systems.
· Create efficient implementations of scientific algorithms in MATLAB, Python, or similar high-level languages.
· Document methods, results, and assumptions clearly for technical peers, program leadership, and customers.
· Work collegially within a talented multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and software developers.
Basic Qualifications
· BS degree with 5+ years of prior relevant applied physics, radar/sensor modeling, signal processing, data analysis, or scientific algorithm development experience; Masters with 2+ years of relevant experience; or Doctoral degree in physics, applied physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or a related scientific field.
· US Citizenship and able to maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
· Experience developing, analyzing, or validating physics-based models, simulations, or scientific algorithms.
· Excellent analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
· Fluency in MATLAB, Python, or a similar high-level scientific computing language.
· Ability to translate physical concepts into algorithms, simulations, and quantitative analyses.
· Proven track record of innovation, technical problem solving, and achieving results in a research or engineering environment.
· Strong documentation and communication skills.
· Required on-site full-time work in San Diego, CA.
Preferred Qualifications
· Understanding of radar phenomenology, electromagnetic scattering, detection, estimation, or characterization.
· Experience with modeling and simulation of physical systems, sensor systems, remote sensing, ocean/environmental phenomenology, or related data-intensive applications.
· Experience programming in C/C++ or developing efficient production-quality scientific software.
· Experience with statistical analysis, estimation theory, optimization, machine learning, or uncertainty quantification.
· Comfortable with public speaking and/or customer presentations.
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:
May 27, 2026For 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.
