Computational Imaging Scientist

Leidos • San Diego, CA

2d • $107,900 - $195,050

About The Position

The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking an Optical Engineer specializing in Computational Imaging to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in the development of meta-optic-enabled computational imaging systems for edge processing on next-generation space missions. The Space Business Area is transforming space payload solutions through customer-funded programs and internal research and development (IR&D) efforts focused on enabling new capabilities in space-based sensing.
In this role, you will support the design, modeling, and experimental validation of infrared meta-optic systems integrated with digital reconstruction and inference algorithms. You will develop and apply computational imaging models that connect optical design, image formation, detector response, calibration, image reconstruction, and downstream inference performance.
You will contribute to the development of simulation tools and algorithms for analyzing hybrid optical–digital imaging systems, including forward image-formation models, inverse-problem formulations, reconstruction algorithms, and end-to-end optimization of optical and computational parameters. You will also support design trades and system-level evaluations involving image quality, signal-to-noise ratio, reconstruction fidelity, classification performance, robustness, and computational complexity.
Working closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams, you will help evaluate and mature emerging optical technologies, including metaoptics and optical computing systems, analyze experimental data to inform design decisions, and document results to support internal R&D and program efforts.
This position includes both analytical and experimental responsibilities, with an emphasis on modeling and algorithm development. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across optical simulation, computational imaging, machine learning, and laboratory environments and is interested in developing integrated optical–digital sensing systems.

Requirements

• BS degree in Physics, Materials Science, Optics, or a related field with 8+ years of prior relevant experience or MS with 6+ years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.
• Demonstrated research or development experience in computational imaging or a closely related field
• Experience with Fourier optics, wave propagation, diffraction, and coherence theory
• Experience with optimization methods used in computational imaging, including gradient-based optimization, regularization, or statistical estimation
• Familiarity with machine-learning-based reconstruction or inference methods, including convolutional neural networks or related architectures
• Experience programming in Python using scientific-computing and machine-learning tools such as NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow; experience with MATLAB or C++ may also be applicable
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Must be a U.S Citizen
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a higher-level clearance (TS/SCI)
• Experience designing or modeling optical systems using Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, or equivalent software
• Experience developing and evaluating machine-learning-based image reconstruction, detection, or classification systems
• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including optical alignment, imaging-system testing, detector characterization, or optical characterization
• Familiarity with diffractive optics, meta-optics, metasurfaces, or nanophotonic inverse-design
• Experience with electromagnetic modeling tools such as COMSOL, Ansys Lumerical, or equivalent
• Record of research contributions demonstrated through publications, patents, conference presentations, or development of relevant computational-imaging systems

Responsibilities

• Support the design, modeling, and experimental validation of infrared meta-optic systems integrated with digital reconstruction and inference algorithms.
• Develop and apply computational imaging models that connect optical design, image formation, detector response, calibration, image reconstruction, and downstream inference performance.
• Contribute to the development of simulation tools and algorithms for analyzing hybrid optical–digital imaging systems, including forward image-formation models, inverse-problem formulations, reconstruction algorithms, and end-to-end optimization of optical and computational parameters.
• Support design trades and system-level evaluations involving image quality, signal-to-noise ratio, reconstruction fidelity, classification performance, robustness, and computational complexity.
• Evaluate and mature emerging optical technologies, including metaoptics and optical computing systems.
• Analyze experimental data to inform design decisions.
• Document results to support internal R&D and program efforts.

Benefits

• Diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide.
• Solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.
• Innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success.
• Empowering our teams, contributing to our communities, and operating sustainably.
• Commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior