Lasercom R&D Engineer-Assistant Staff

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

3d•$92,000 - $128,000

About The Position

The Laser Communications Group designs, prototypes, analyzes, and tests free-space laser communications systems for government platforms and environments. Its research includes techniques to mitigate atmospheric-turbulence-related signal-power fluctuations, methods to reduce wavefront distortions, atmospheric modeling and simulation, and precise acquisition, tracking, and pointing subsystems for highly directional, low-probability-of-intercept communication links. The group is working to demonstrate a low-cost, high-performance airborne laser communications terminal and develop an independent lasercom interoperability testing facility. It also provides subject matter expertise to the U.S. government on laser communications. This Assistant Staff position is intended for a recent graduate who will apply technical fundamentals to experiments, hardware, modeling, and analysis. The employee will work in the laboratory, run experiments, and contribute to free-space laser communication systems. Assistant Staff support innovative research for the Laboratory’s national security mission, prototype technology, and participate in program lifecycle activities. They work with multidisciplinary teams on complex to moderately complex problems through research and technology development, completing defined research and technical assignments with guidance or, depending on level, applying established methods with limited oversight. The successful candidate will develop or deepen expertise in a primary technical domain and broaden awareness of adjacent areas. Work may include hardware and software development, systems and data analysis, component fabrication, system integration, testing, and documentation. The role involves designing and characterizing optical, RF, or software subsystems; troubleshooting and iterating on solutions; and applying coursework or research fundamentals to hardware on an optical bench. Systems may support satellite, airborne, or other mission-critical platforms. Candidates will be considered at Level 1 or Level 2 based on education, experience, technical capabilities, and the scope and complexity of prior work. A bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or relevant technical field, or equivalent relevant experience, is required. Level 1 typically requires no technical or relevant research experience; Level 2 typically requires at least one year of relevant research, engineering, or other technical experience, though a master's degree may be considered. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work in a laboratory handling optical and electronic hardware, U.S. citizenship, and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance are also required. The position requires a Secret clearance to start and the willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret-level DoD clearance with compartmented program eligibility in the near future. The selected candidate will also undergo a pre-employment background investigation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Level 1: typically no technical experience or relevant research experience is required.
Level 2: typically 1 or more years of relevant research, engineering, or other technical experience; a master’s degree may be considered.
Foundational understanding of research principles, analytical methods, and structured problem solving.
Ability to learn and apply technical tools, systems, standards, and procedures within a team environment.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including documenting work clearly, asking clarifying questions, and interacting respectfully with colleagues, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Demonstrated collaboration, curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to receive and apply feedback.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Willingness and ability to work in a laboratory environment, including handling optical and electronic hardware.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance; selected candidate must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance to start and be willing and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret-level DoD clearance with compartmented program eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Research experience in an optics, photonics, or similar experimental physics laboratory.
Exposure to optical systems or alignment, analog circuit design, or embedded/systems software.
Experience with data analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB, or optical design software.

Responsibilities

Support design, development, data analysis, programming, testing, troubleshooting, modeling, simulation, and documentation of systems or prototypes.
Apply basic or established technical practices, tools, and procedures to complete defined tasks and solve routine technical problems.
Contribute to data collection, documentation, and component- or subsystem-level deliverables supporting broader research and mission-focused efforts.
Learn and apply relevant mission context, technical standards, systems, platforms, and project processes.
Communicate progress, technical results, assumptions, risks, and questions clearly, and incorporate feedback into technical work products.
Depending on level, identify small process improvements and assist new hires, interns, or less experienced staff.
Design and characterize optical, RF, or software subsystems for free-space laser communication terminals.
Run experiments, troubleshoot issues, and iterate on solutions.
Perform modeling and analysis to inform technology investments and assess laboratory results.
Collaborate with a small technical team and apply theoretical fundamentals to real hardware on an optical bench.