Computational Imaging Scientist

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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.

Primary Responsibilities

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 opticaldigital 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 includingmetaopticsandoptical computing systemsanalyze 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 opticaldigital sensing systems.

Basic Qualifications

• 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 imagingor a closely related field
• ExperiencewithFourier 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 SciPyPyTorch 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a higher-level clearance (TS/SCI)
• Experience designing or modeling optical systems usingZemaxOpticStudio 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-opticsmetasurfaces ornanophotonicinverse-design
• Experience with electromagnetic modeling tools such as COMSOL AnsysLumerical or equivalent
• Record of research contributionsdemonstratedthrough publications patents conference presentations or development of relevant computational-imaging systems

Why Leidos

At Leidos we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers success. We empower our teams contribute to our communities and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers our people and our community. Our Mission Vision and Values guide the way we do business.

Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems solutions and services covering land sea air space and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Our team is solving the worlds toughest security challenges for customers with cant fail missions.

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.