Electrical / Physics Engineer Advanced Imaging

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

2d•$140,000 - $207,000

About The Position

The Advanced Imager Technology Group develops imaging platforms for national security capabilities and scientific discovery, spanning fundamental device research through camera technology for fielded systems. Its work includes novel imager and detector design, semiconductor microfabrication, integrated-circuit design, advanced packaging and 3D integration, and development of control and readout electronics. Technologies include large-format focal planes, high-speed imagers, time-of-arrival detectors, and low-light-level imagers. The group develops visible- and infrared-band detectors for applications such as ground- and space-based surveillance, adaptive optics, and astronomy. The role focuses on leading characterization of novel image sensors and developing supporting electronics. The successful candidate will lead complex technical efforts, perform independent research, develop creative approaches, and translate broad objectives into executable plans. They will work across multidisciplinary teams, guide technical decisions and program execution, communicate findings to sponsors and leadership, contribute to technical documentation and proposals, and mentor technical staff. The position is considered at Technical Staff Level 5 or Level 6, depending on education, experience, demonstrated expertise, leadership, and the scale and complexity of work led.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or another relevant technical field and typically 6 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and typically 4 or more years; or a PhD and typically 0 or more years; or an equivalent combination of education and experience for Level 5.
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or another relevant technical field and typically 8 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and typically 6 or more years; or a PhD and typically 2 or more years; or an equivalent combination of education and experience for Level 6.
Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Deep expertise in at least two of the following areas: semiconductor device physics; scientific CMOS or CCD imager design; camera electronics; scientific sensor characterization; calibration or instrumentation of scientific sensors; infrared detector design; designing or fielding cameras in operational systems such as ground-based observatories; TCAD modeling of semiconductor devices; or transistor modeling and characterization.
Ability to adapt technical expertise to unfamiliar or emerging disciplines, systems, mission areas, or methods.
Ability to apply significant technical judgment to broad challenges requiring integration across related systems or methods.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects or major workstreams and deliver complex technical outcomes; for Level 6, proven experience leading complex programs, significant program elements, or multi-team technical efforts.
Experience evaluating trade-offs and recommending paths forward, with the ability to adapt technical approaches to evolving needs and manage technical ambiguity.
Demonstrated mentorship, collaboration, and ability to communicate recommendations, risks, and technical findings to varied audiences.
Experience contributing to technical reports, papers, presentations, proposals, or other formal technical deliverables.
Selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

Lead projects, complex programs, major technical workstreams, multi-program initiatives, or technical portfolios involving multidisciplinary development, analysis, prototyping, integration, testing, evaluation, and technology transition.
Apply technical expertise and systems-level judgment to complex and ambiguous problems, evaluating alternatives, trade-offs, risks, stakeholder needs, and mission implications.
Translate broad or unclear objectives into actionable technical plans and influence program direction, architectures, systems, priorities, and roadmaps.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, sponsors, mission partners, and internal leaders to align priorities, resolve dependencies, and guide decisions and deliverables.
Assess and improve technical tools, processes, methods, documentation, execution practices, and organizational capability.
Serve as a technical resource and mentor by reviewing work, framing trade-offs and risks, and developing staff and emerging leaders.
Contribute to papers, reports, presentations, proposals, grants, roadmaps, and other materials that advance mission outcomes and technical direction.
Lead image sensor characterization in test laboratories, including identifying device testing requirements, defining characterization parameters, processing data, and presenting summaries to internal and external audiences.
Work with test engineers to ensure imager characterization setups meet requirements and recommend investments to improve Group capabilities.
Manage prototyping efforts involving device design, fabrication, testing, and packaging.
Assist with device design and technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations.
Contribute to new concept development and proposal preparation.
Identify opportunities to develop common infrastructure across different detector families.