Engineering Specialist (I)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

7d•$89,400 - $123,400

About The Position

The Advanced Quantum Technologies Group seeks a motivated, detail-oriented Engineering Specialist to support the development, integration, testing, and sustained operation of advanced sensor prototypes and experimental systems. The position combines laboratory hardware development, test-infrastructure development, experimental support, and laboratory operations. Work includes fabricating mechanical and electronic hardware; developing and maintaining reusable test fixtures and experimental setups; preparing systems for laboratory and field testing; troubleshooting hardware and instrumentation; and improving laboratory workflows. The role supports a wide variety of hands-on laboratory and engineering tasks, working with multidisciplinary engineering and science teams and Laboratory technicians throughout prototype development, integration, testing, and field demonstrations. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

Associate's degree, technical certification, military technical training, or equivalent technical training in Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or a related field; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
At least 2 years of relevant hands-on laboratory, prototype-development, hardware-integration, or technical engineering experience.
Demonstrated ability to independently assemble, modify, integrate, and troubleshoot laboratory or prototype hardware.
Experience developing or maintaining test fixtures, experimental setups, or laboratory test infrastructure.
Demonstrated experience with electronics assembly, soldering, cable fabrication, connectors, and basic electrical troubleshooting.
Familiarity with hand and power tools.
Ability to develop, follow, and improve technical procedures and documentation standards.
Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain shared hardware, test equipment, and laboratory resources in a structured, readily usable manner.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineers, scientists, technicians, and other technical staff.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Experience designing and fabricating custom laboratory fixtures, mechanical assemblies, and experimental hardware.
Experience developing repeatable test stations or reusable experimental setups.
Experience with data-acquisition systems, instrumentation control, or laboratory automation software.
Experience with RF/microwave, low-noise electronics, magnetic measurements, optical systems, vacuum systems, or precision instrumentation.
Familiarity with machining and machine-shop tools, including mills and lathes.

Responsibilities

Fabricate, assemble, or modify experimental hardware, mechanical fixtures, and supporting electronics.
Perform soldering, cable fabrication, connectorization, electronics assembly, and mechanical fabrication using appropriate laboratory and machine-shop tools, involving Laboratory personnel when necessary.
Build, document, and maintain reusable fixtures and experimental setups for recurring hardware characterization or fabrication.
Maintain clear identification and configuration control of fixtures, cables, adapters, instrumentation accessories, and related test hardware.
Prepare hardware, instrumentation, fixtures, and data-acquisition systems for laboratory and field testing, performing readiness checks as needed.
Execute tests, collect data, and document hardware configurations, instrument settings, calibration information, procedures, observations, and results.
Coordinate with appropriate Laboratory personnel to troubleshoot hardware, instrumentation, and integration issues, identify root causes, and implement practical corrective actions.
Maintain laboratories in an organized and test-ready condition, including equipment calibration, inventory, and purchasing support.
Convert successful one-off experimental setups into robust, repeatable laboratory capabilities usable by multiple team members.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and science teams and Laboratory technicians throughout prototype development, integration, testing, and field demonstrations.