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Physics Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers-experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing -to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from massive ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$144.30K - $190.30K/yr

OR Associate's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years experience in Software ...

Our employees have backgrounds in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science ... Position Software Engineer * Location: Dayton, Ohio * Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI Clearance ...

Senior Software Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site +1

$140K - $185K/yr

Senior Software Engineer At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically ... where physics meets production software. You'll collaborate closely with a talented, tight-knit ...

Radar Modeling And Simulation Software Engineer As a software engineer in the Radar Modeling and ... Systems Engineering, Physics or related STEM degree * 2-5 years of professional experience

Software Engineer

Rancho Santa Fe, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

National City, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

El Cajon, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Bachelor of Science degree in electrical/electronics engineering, computer/software engineering, computer science, math, physics, or related scientific discipline. * Three (3)+ years of professional ...

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

Cardiff By The Sea, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

... physics, enabling effective bridging of the gap between software engineering and the physical realities of advanced sensing technologies • Strong programming skills in Python • Experience ...

Software Engineer

La Jolla, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Bachelor's degree or higher (in Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics, or related field) or ... Experience developing software with Java, C++, or Python * Experience developing software with ...

Software Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site +1

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

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Physics Software Engineer information

See salary details

$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do physics software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for physics software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Physics Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physics Software Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and computer science, typically supported by a degree in physics, engineering, or a related field. Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or MATLAB, and experience with simulation software or scientific computing libraries are essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and interpreting complex data. These skills are vital for developing accurate, efficient software solutions that model physical systems and drive innovation in scientific and engineering projects.

How does a Physics Software Engineer typically collaborate with scientists and other engineering teams during a project?

Physics Software Engineers often work closely with physicists, data scientists, and hardware engineers to translate complex physical models into reliable software solutions. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to clarify requirements, iterative development cycles to test and validate simulation accuracy, and ongoing feedback to refine algorithms. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as engineers must bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical implementation while ensuring that software integrates smoothly with other systems. This collaborative environment fosters continuous learning and problem-solving, making the role both challenging and rewarding.

What is a Physics Software Engineer?

A Physics Software Engineer is a professional who develops, maintains, and optimizes software that simulates or models physical systems and phenomena. They often work at the intersection of physics, computer science, and engineering, creating tools for scientific research, simulations, or real-time physics engines used in industries like gaming, aerospace, or research institutions. These engineers typically have a strong background in both physics and programming, enabling them to translate complex physical formulas and concepts into efficient and accurate code. Their work is crucial for advancing technology in areas such as computational physics, virtual reality, and engineering design.

What is the difference between Physics Software Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectPhysics Software EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Physics, Computer Science, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tech companies, aerospace, or defense industriesTech firms, finance, healthcare, or consulting companies
Industry UsagePhysics research, simulation, modeling, and software developmentData analysis, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data visualization

Physics Software Engineers focus on developing software for physics applications, simulations, and research, often working in research or engineering environments. Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights and build predictive models. While both roles require strong programming skills, Physics Software Engineers emphasize physics principles, whereas Data Scientists focus on data analysis and statistical methods.

More about Physics Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Physics Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Physics Software Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Physics Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Physics Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Physics Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Physics Software Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Physics Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.
Software Engineer

Software Engineer

Leidos

San Diego, CA • On-site, Remote

$87.10K - $157.45K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 425 rated business services


Job description

Unleash your curiosity. Solve what others can't.
At Leidos, we're not just writing code-we're decoding the unknown. Our San Diego research and engineering team tackles some of the most complex challenges in national defense using advanced signal processing, ocean remote sensing, and high-performance computing.

We're looking for a Software Engineer / Computer Scientist who thrives on solving hard problems and pushing the boundaries of performance. You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers-experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing-to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from massive, complex data sets.

If you're driven by innovation, energized by collaboration, and ready to see your algorithms power real-world missions-you belong here.

What You'll Do

  • Collaborate with scientists and engineers to design, implement, and optimize advanced algorithms that power next-generation radar, optical, and infrared sensor systems.

  • Engineer high-performance backend systems for scientific computing and distributed environments.

  • Integrate, refactor, and optimize scientific codebases, ensuring scalability and efficiency.

  • Translate and enhance existing code for GPU/CUDA acceleration and parallel/distributed execution.

  • Test, document, and evolve complex software in a Linux/Unix environment.

  • Work in a collaborative environment that values technical rigor, creativity, and growth.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field with 6+ years of backend software development experience; or Master's with 4+ years. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance (active TS preferred).

  • Demonstrated expertise in C/C++ backend software development, including large-scale, performance-critical applications.

  • Proven experience with high-performance computing, parallel/distributed processing, and standards such as MPI.

  • Hands-on experience with GPU/CUDA programming and optimization.

  • Experience with AI/ML and LLM concepts and algorithms

  • Strong foundation in advanced mathematics or physics, with the ability to translate theory into functional code.

  • Proficiency in Linux/Unix development environments.

  • Familiarity with scientific programming, algorithm implementation, and system-level problem-solving.

  • Strong understanding of software engineering principles and best practices.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication and software documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Active Top Secret clearance

  • Familiarity with Agile development, object-oriented design, and modern software architecture.

  • Experience with Git, GitLab, MATLAB, and Fortran.

  • Knowledge of multi-threaded or shared-memory applications.

Why Leidos?

You'll be part of a team that:

  • Combines science, technology, and imagination to solve real-world defense challenges.

  • Values your curiosity as much as your technical ability.

  • Invests in your professional growth through mentorship and hands-on innovation.

At Leidos, your code doesn't just run-it defends, detects, and delivers.

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:January 21, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.


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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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 sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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