Research Scientist/Physicist

Leidos•Springfield, VA

3d•$107,900 - $195,050•Hybrid

About The Position

Support nuclear weapons effects simulations, specifically in the areas of radiation hydrodynamics and shock-hydrodynamics and all associated physics with the development of modeling and simulation tools. Develop new simulated sensors to duplicate the response of fielded systems. Develop analysis and visualization capabilities to turn the simulation results into knowledge. This posting is for multiple levels of physicist and is pending funding. Primary Responsibilities: Learn the details of nuclear device explosion modeling and simulation with emphasis on radiation hydrodynamics and shock hydrodynamics including the radiation opacity, electron transport, and associated physical processes that govern the expansion of the initial fireball and the entrainment of ambient air. Locations: Candidates may be located in San Diego, CA, Springfield, VA, or Albuquerque, NM. Some telework, but must be willing and able to work in the office alongside more senior staff. Basic Qualifications: PhD in Physics, preferably shock physics, plasma physics, or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with 0– 10 years experience. Experience with radiation transport and/or CFD codes. Experience with high performance computing. Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance; candidates with a Top Secret clearance are preferred. Preferred Qualifications: The more experience, the better the candidate. Experience can be in any high performance computing simulation field, but physical and/or sensor simulation preferred. 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: March 18, 2026 For 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. Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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. Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here. Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to spam.leidos@leidos.com. Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Requirements

PhD in Physics, preferably shock physics, plasma physics, or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with 0– 10 years experience.
Experience with radiation transport and/or CFD codes.
Experience with high performance computing.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance; candidates with a Top Secret clearance are preferred.

Nice To Haves

The more experience, the better the candidate.
Experience can be in any high performance computing simulation field, but physical and/or sensor simulation preferred.

Responsibilities

Support nuclear weapons effects simulations, specifically in the areas of radiation hydrodynamics and shock-hydrodynamics
Develop new simulated sensors to duplicate the response of fielded systems.
Develop analysis and visualization capabilities to turn the simulation results into knowledge.
Learn the details of nuclear device explosion modeling and simulation with emphasis on radiation hydrodynamics and shock hydrodynamics including the radiation opacity, electron transport, and associated physical processes that govern the expansion of the initial fireball and the entrainment of ambient air.