Demo

Solid-State Physicist / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland)

CNSS • National Security Systems
Fort Meade, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 4/24/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/23/2026
As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will use your skills to create the systems and tools that will be used to enhance the operation of intelligence. You will advise, administer and perform scientific projects, such as planning, designing, and constructing specialized equipment, and ensuring adherence to sound engineering and scientific standards and principles. The NSA offers multiple areas of focus for facilities engineers, including computer, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural. In addition, we are seeking skills that include computer design, microelectronics, radio frequency design, and systems engineering. Apply your science and engineering skills to protect the nation. The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology).

For Engineering degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include specified coursework.*

  • Specified coursework includes courses in differential and integral calculus and 5 of the following 18 areas: (a) statics or dynamics, (b) strength of materials/stress-strain relationships, (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics, (d) thermodynamics, (e) electromagnetic fields, (f) nature and properties of materials/relating particle and aggregate structure to properties, (g) solid state electronics, (h) microprocessor applications, (i), computer systems, (j) signal processing, (k) digital design, (l) systems and control theory, (m) circuits or generalized circuits, (n) communication systems, (o) power systems, (p) computer networks, (q) software development, (r) Any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, or soil mechanics.

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: performing engineering or physical sciences work, or conducting academic or independent research in a technical field (for example, mathematics, engineering, cognitive sciences and physical sciences).

SENIOR

Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.

EXPERT

Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience. NSA is home to one of the largest and most established in-house research organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), employing scientists with world-class skills in fields such as mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity. We collaborate with leading industries, universities, and national laboratories to advance core competencies, leverage work in overlapping disciplines, and solve some of the most challenging national security problems thought to be intractable by adversaries and commercial industry.

NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) attracts top technical talent who not only solve the nation's urgent intelligence problems, but also invent what hasn't been invented and concentrate on what will be needed five, ten, fifteen years down the road. Through its partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD), LPS offers a unique environment where university, industry, and federal government scientists collaborate on research in advanced communication, sensing, and computer technologies. To learn more about LPS, visit: https://www.lps.umd.edu

LPS is currently seeking an experienced Quantum Computing Technical Program Manager/Solid-State Physicist responsible for setting research goals and direct research focused on conducting experimental or theoretical studies to further understand the fundamental limitations of qubit devices and platforms. Specific focus of this job is for applicants with an extensive history working with either superconducting qubits or solid-state spin qubits (with a preference for spin-based gate defined quantum dots), with applicability to fault-tolerant quantum computing.

As a valued member of the LPS team, you will leverage your expertise, ideas, and vision to:

  • Lead and oversee projects that shape the future of U.S. computing interests
  • Collaborate with leading scientists in quantum computing across government, industry, and academia to understand the latest state-of-the-art research, and identify future research gaps and needs
  • Implement strategies by directing U.S. Government investments
  • Advance U.S. leadership in Quantum Information Science (QIS) for the benefit of the entire nation

Experience in the following areas related to solid-state qubits are desired:

  • Quantum Hardware Development, Operation, and Overcoming Challenges. This would include direct experience (either experimental or theoretical) with superconducting circuits or spin-based qubits, either in design, simulation, modelling, fabrication and experimental manipulation such as gate operations and readout or the running of quantum algorithms
  • Quantum Supporting Technologies and Methods such as experience with packaging, experimental setup, mixed-signal control systems or other room temperature electronics
  • Quantum protocol development and performance evaluation, from single qubits to multi-qubits and quantum error correction
  • Characterization, analysis, and physical constraints of quantum systems
  • Evaluating current or future opportunities and limitations based on past, current, and projected performance
  • Maturing quantum technologies through multiple stages of development and levels of maturity
  • Several layers of a quantum information system hierarchy, from micro-physics to logical, and how each level impacts qubit performance You are someone who has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a desire to guide and influence a broad research community, thrives on solving problems, and is able to:
  • Apply knowledge of mathematics, engineering, and physical sciences to analyze problems and determine technical solutions
  • Work effectively across several different functional areas in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
  • Handle and prioritize multiple assignments
  • Synthesize information to solve complex problems
  • Ability to clearly communicate to peers and leadership in a variety of methods and forums

Salary.com Estimation for Solid-State Physicist / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland) in Fort Meade, MD
$86,322 to $107,930
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Solid-State Physicist / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Solid-State Physicist / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$95,325 - $140,940
Income Estimation: 
$101,850 - $147,372
Income Estimation: 
$82,394 - $101,811
Income Estimation: 
$86,266 - $138,642
Income Estimation: 
$128,588 - $163,256
Income Estimation: 
$82,813 - $108,410
Income Estimation: 
$120,989 - $162,093
Income Estimation: 
$74,806 - $91,633
Income Estimation: 
$71,928 - $87,026
Income Estimation: 
$145,337 - $174,569
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at CNSS • National Security Systems

  • CNSS • National Security Systems Fort Meade, MD
  • The minimum qualifications against which the applicant will be evaluated derive from the skill area to which they are matched. In addition, the applicant m... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • CNSS • National Security Systems Fort Meade, MD
  • As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will use your skills to create the systems and tools that will be used to enhance the operation of... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • CNSS • National Security Systems Fort Meade, MD
  • Collection Management is the process of managing and organizing the collection of intelligence from various sources. The NSA is looking to develop a highly... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • CNSS • National Security Systems Fort Meade, MD
  • Signals Analysis is a cutting-edge technical discipline that seeks to identify the purpose, content and user(s) of signals. Given today's rapidly evolving ... more
  • 6 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Solid-State Physicist / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland) jobs in the Fort Meade, MD area that may be a better fit.

  • National Security Agency Fort Meade, MD
  • Responsibilities NSA is home to one of the largest and most established in-house research organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), employ... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • National Security Agency Fort Meade, MD
  • NSA is home to one of the largest and most established in-house research organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), employing scientists wi... more
  • 3 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!