Senior Physicist For Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection

Description

The Analysis Solutions Business Area at Leidos currently has an opening for a senior expert in radio-frequency (RF) engineering for work regarding the protection of military systems from electromagnetic pulse (EMP) environments generated by nuclear-weapon detonations. Leidos’ customer is the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), located at Fort Belvoir, VA. The position is part time. Applicant may telework remotely. Overall task: Provide technical assistance regarding the protection of military systems against EMP threat environments.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Participate in DTRA-sponsored technical teams regarding EMP-related test instrumentation (including RF antennas and pulsed-power systems) in the field or laboratory; review and critique alternative design approaches for advancing such test instrumentation applicable towards EMP-hardness testing of military systems.
• Provide technical recommendations and assistance to DTRA and its stakeholders in creating or updating DoD military standards and associated military handbooks regarding EMP-protection requirements and best-practice guidance, which support nuclear-survivability policies and regulations for military systems.
• Travel to, and observe, field tests of EMP-protection systems executed in accordance with military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-188-125-1A) and provide critical, technical comments and reports based on these observations with respect to military-standard compliance.
• Provide training to newer members of the EMP-protection/testing technical community.
• Provide Leidos’ program management team with technical guidance and assistance for various associated functions, to include coordination with subcontractor personnel, and scrutinize the completeness and correctness of technical recommendations and associated data documented in deliverable reports.

Required Skills, Education, and Experience:

• PhD or Master’s Degree with 15+ years of applicable experience in an engineering or scientific discipline pertinent to nuclear phenomena, RF instrumentation, electromagnetism, and/or electrical systems.
• Possess knowledge regarding the substantiation and implementation of EMP-protection requirements per military standards, e.g., MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-188-125-1A, etc.
• Must be a U.S Citizen (no dual citizenship).
• Active and in-scope Top Secret / SCI clearance or be eligible to upgrade quickly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in designing, developing, and operating diagnostic systems related to nuclear weapons environments and effects, to include pulsed-power systems and RF antennas
• Experience collaborating with senior Government personnel in a program office environment, such as at a Government/military agency.
• Demonstrate professional skills in technical writing.

At Leidos, we don’t want someone who "fits the mold"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.”

If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.

Original Posting

January 12, 2026

Pay Range

Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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 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.

About 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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit

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 at

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Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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.

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