Summer Research Program Intern 2027, CI Cybersecurity, Energy Systems (Group 47)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory • Lexington, MA

11d • $25 - $39

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. Its work includes advanced power-grid architectures and system designs, control techniques for microgrids and distributed energy resources, and hardware and real-time simulation testbeds.

The intern will work within a multidisciplinary team developing technologies to secure and strengthen U.S. critical infrastructure, with a focus on energy systems. The role involves helping design, implement, and test software tools and methodologies for evaluating the cybersecurity resilience of control systems and related hardware that interfaces with infrastructure components. The intern will use modeling and simulation, including digital twins, and/or hardware-in-the-loop platforms to evaluate these tools. The intern may also travel with laboratory staff to exercise the tools on real-world infrastructure.

Project work will depend on the intern’s interests and background. Potential projects include rehosting embedded-system firmware for security analysis; reverse engineering embedded systems or their programming software; creating protocol parsers for industrial control systems and proprietary network protocols; and using network simulation tools to create realistic energy-system network environments.

The Summer Research Program gives students the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to national security challenges while working alongside scientists and engineers. Interns take part in hands-on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and participate in professional development activities such as workshops, tech talks, and networking events.

Requirements

• Be in the process of earning a B.S., M.S., and/or Ph.D. in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Have strong problem-solving skills.
• Be able to work effectively both in teams and independently.
• Have effective written and oral communication skills.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, or Go.
• Familiarity with industrial control system protocols such as Modbus, IEC 61850, DNP3, OPC, or BACnet, and/or network protocol analysis tools such as Tcpdump, Wireshark, or Zeek.
• Familiarity with basic cryptographic principles, penetration testing, red team operations, or intrusion detection techniques.

Responsibilities

• Help design, implement, and test software tools and methodologies for evaluating the cybersecurity resilience of control systems and related hardware.
• Use modeling and simulation, including digital twins, and/or hardware-in-the-loop platforms to evaluate developed tools.
• Potentially travel with laboratory staff to exercise tools on real-world infrastructure.
• Depending on interests and background, rehost embedded-system firmware for security analysis; reverse engineer embedded systems or programming software; create industrial-control and proprietary-network protocol parsers; or use network simulation tools to build realistic energy-system network environments.

Benefits

• Dedicated mentorship and professional development opportunities, including workshops, tech talks, and networking events.
• Housing support for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment.
• Complimentary daily shuttle transportation from Boston-based housing to and from the Lab.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed