RF Communications System Engineer/Analyst-Associate Staff

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

3d•$114,000 - $164,000

About The Position

The Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group develops new system concepts and techniques to support the US Government’s critical communications needs. The group specializes in RF communications across ground, sea, air, and space applications, supporting assured global connectivity despite adversary interference and interception threats. Its work draws on communications system analysis, digital signal processing, RF technology, rapid prototyping, and field experimentation to research, develop, characterize, and demonstrate new capabilities. As an Associate Staff member, you will contribute independently to multidisciplinary efforts supporting MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s national security mission. You will prototype advanced technology solutions, participate in multiple stages of program lifecycles, contribute to sponsor briefings, write test plans and reports, and apply creative solutions to technical problems. Depending on experience and scope, you may own project components or lead complex workstreams and small teams. In the Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group, you will analyze and help prototype advanced RF communications systems. Work may include communications system analysis, such as link budgets and detection and jamming performance modeling, and RF system design activities, such as RF subsystem design and testing, firmware or software development and testing, and system-level integration and testing. Candidates are considered for the appropriate Associate Staff level based on education, experience, technical capabilities, leadership responsibilities, and prior work scope and complexity. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 2 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and typically 0 or more years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience for Level 3.
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 4 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and typically 2 or more years of relevant experience; a Ph.D. may be considered; or an equivalent combination of education and experience for Level 4.
Experience analyzing, developing, and testing elements of an RF system, such as RF subsystem design and testing, firmware or software development and testing, or system-level integration and testing.
Solid technical depth in a primary technical domain and ability to apply knowledge independently for Level 3; strong technical depth and emerging breadth across related disciplines or mission areas for Level 4.
Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and manage project components; for Level 4, ability to lead project components or technical workstreams.
Experience contributing to technical documentation, analyses, reports, presentations, or project deliverables.
For Level 4, experience managing milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables for assigned project areas.
Ability to collaborate across project teams and communicate technical information clearly; for Level 4, ability to communicate complex information to varied audiences and collaborate with sponsors and internal partners.
Emerging ability to guide less experienced colleagues and contribute to team capability development for Level 3; demonstrated ability to mentor others, review work, and contribute to team technical capability for Level 4.
Highly effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team and set priorities.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in communication theory and/or digital signal processing approaches applied to adaptive RF systems.
Previous experience developing or integrating prototype or experimental communications systems, such as software-defined radios, antennas, or field measurements.
A Ph.D. may be considered for Level 4.

Responsibilities

Own or lead design, development, data analysis, programming, modeling, simulation, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and technical evaluation activities within broader project or program efforts.
Apply technical depth and judgment to complex, less-defined problems by identifying suitable methods, adapting established approaches, and evaluating trade-offs.
Contribute to or lead system-, subsystem-, or component-level work across multiple disciplines, mission needs, products, or technical focus areas.
Develop, review, and integrate technical documentation, analyses, design materials, program reporting, presentations, papers, and other deliverables.
Coordinate milestones, assumptions, dependencies, quality expectations, and risks; present findings, recommendations, and alternatives to appropriate audiences.
Provide technical guidance, review, feedback, and mentorship while deepening mission-aligned expertise.
Perform analysis and contribute to prototyping advanced RF communications systems.
Contribute to sponsor briefings and write test plans and reports.