Electrical Engineer-Associate Staff

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

22d•$116,400 - $1,822,000

About The Position

The Optical & Quantum Communications Group develops impactful quantum and classical technologies and system prototypes for use in a wide range of challenging applications in terrestrial, space and underwater environments. Primary areas of research include the development of novel entangled-photon source technologies and quantum memory systems; novel quantum link architectures; sensitive single-photon receivers; novel modulation and coding approaches; multi-format laser-comm modems; robust and compact free-space optical beam directors; and precision beam pointing, link acquisition and tracking systems. The group is leveraging these technologies for use in prototype systems that are deployed in the field to inform next-generation quantum and classical optical system capabilities. Examples of near-term field tests include terabit-per-second direct-to-Earth small-satellite constellations, near-Earth wideband relay laser communication terminal hardware for space and ground terminal use, and next-generation beam-director prototypes that are inherently scalable to deep-space optical comm systems, and quantum state transfer across a regional quantum network testbed. The group is seeking a staff engineer to support research activities targeting development of both classical and quantum technologies. Examples of current technology development activities include on-demand entangled photon-sources, single-photon detector arrays, parametric nonlinear optical devices, quantum memory and synchronization subsystems. The primary goal for the candidate upon joining the group will be to support development of early prototype systems particularly through FPGA development, embedded software development, and hardware design, development and test from early concept through fielded demonstrations. In addition, controls experience, board design experience, or experience on rapid prototyping efforts beyond the lab bench will be helpful, particularly on projects for either laser communications or quantum communications.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Physics
Experience or coursework in FPGA development, embedded systems and microcontrollers, digital engineering, controls, and digital communication theory.
C/C++ and Python for embedded environments required.
Verilog / SystemVerilog or VHDL required.
U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Vivado, Vitis, Petalinux, and Zynq / Zynq UltraScale+ SoC development strongly desired.
Experience with Zynq UltraScale+ APU/RPU/FPGA interprocess communication strongly desired.
Controls experience.
Board design experience.
Experience on rapid prototyping efforts beyond the lab bench.
Experience on projects for either laser communications or quantum communications.
Experience in some or all of the following areas is also desired: controls, rapid prototyping efforts beyond the lab bench, digital high-speed design and fabrication.

Responsibilities

Support development of early prototype systems particularly through FPGA development, embedded software development, and hardware design, development and test from early concept through fielded demonstrations.