Research Scientist/Computational Physicist

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 and the processes involved in underwater bursts.

Locations: Candidates may be located in San Diego, CA, Springfield, VA, or Albuquerque, NM. Some telework will be considered, but must be willing and able to work in the office alongside more senior staff on a regular basis.

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.