Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Electric Grid Communications Security, Energy Systems (Gr 47)
About The Position
The Energy Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory develops technology solutions to enhance the resilience and efficiency of civilian and defense energy systems. A summer intern will join a multidisciplinary team working to strengthen electric-grid cybersecurity by characterizing technology solutions that help utilities secure Operational Technology (OT) networks and components. The work aims to help prevent network intrusions from escalating into consequential cyberattacks. The intern will help design, implement, and conduct tests in MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test facility. Work may include integrating zero-trust vendor solutions into the testbed, developing test-harness software, and assessing how effectively solutions mitigate attacks. The resulting data and analysis will contribute to guidelines and recommendations for government sponsors. The Summer Research Program gives students the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to national-security challenges through hands-on research, mentorship, and professional development, including workshops, technical talks, and networking events. Internships typically last 10–12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, generally from May through early August. Eligible non-local interns may receive housing support, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment. Daily shuttle transportation is provided between Boston-based housing and the Lab. Hourly compensation depends on the highest academic year or degree completed before the internship begins: $25.00 for completed freshman year; $27.00 for sophomore year; $29.00 for junior year; $32.00 for the fourth year of a five-year program with no degree conferred; $34.50 for a completed bachelor’s degree; $36.50 for a bachelor’s degree plus one year of graduate study; $38.00 for a bachelor’s degree plus two years of graduate study; and $39.00 for a completed M.S. The selected candidate will undergo a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.
Requirements
- Be in the process of earning a B.S., M.S., and/or Ph.D. in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or another engineering discipline.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work well independently and in teams.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Software development skills, particularly in Python.
- Demonstrated capability in a subset of the following: software design, development, and testing; object-oriented programming fundamentals and bash scripting; Ansible and infrastructure automation; statistics and quantitative analysis; experimental design, instrumentation, and measurement; cybersecurity concepts and methods, including Zero Trust; and Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance.
- U.S. citizenship.
Responsibilities
- Help design, implement, and conduct tests in the Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test facility.
- Integrate zero-trust vendor solutions into the testbed.
- Develop test-harness software.
- Assess the effectiveness of solutions in mitigating attacks.
- Produce data and analysis for guidelines and recommendations to government sponsors.
Benefits
- Mentorship and professional development opportunities, including workshops, technical talks, and networking events.
- Housing support for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston.
- One-time taxable relocation payment for eligible non-local interns.
- Complimentary daily shuttle transportation between Boston-based housing and the Lab.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
