Applied Physicist III

Leidos•San Diego, CA

17d•$87,100 - $157,450•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

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.