Systems Analyst

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

1d•$140,000 - $207,000

About The Position

The Homeland Sensors and Analytics Group develops and deploys sensing and data-analytics solutions that improve tactical decision-making for homeland security and national security missions. Its work spans critical infrastructure, borders, transportation systems, crowded places, law enforcement, special operations, and intelligence analysis. The group combines novel sensing technologies and data analytics—including machine learning—to turn varied data into actionable insights and takes technology from concept through deployment and transition. The Systems Analyst applies technical expertise, analytical thinking, modeling and simulation, and data analysis to assess how technologies can support homeland protection and national security. The work may evaluate existing technologies in new use cases, identify opportunities for new technology solutions, or recommend systems and architectures for operational deployment. It involves understanding sensing modalities such as electro-optical and radar, platforms such as airborne and maritime, and exploitation techniques such as AI/machine learning, tracking, and data fusion. As MIT Lincoln Laboratory Technical Staff, the successful candidate will perform independent research, develop creative approaches, and translate broad objectives into executable plans. Depending on level and assignment, the candidate will lead projects, complex programs, major workstreams, multi-program initiatives, or technical portfolios. The role involves navigating technical complexity and ambiguity; integrating expertise across disciplines; collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, sponsors, mission partners, and Laboratory leaders; and supporting decisions through briefings, documentation, proposals, reports, and roadmaps. The position also includes mentoring Associate Technical Staff, Assistant Technical Staff, and other technical support personnel. The role is offered at Technical Staff Level 5 or Level 6, with placement based on education, experience, technical expertise, leadership responsibilities, and the scale and complexity of prior efforts. Candidates 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 another relevant technical field and typically 6 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and typically 4 or more years; or a Ph.D. and typically 0 or more years; or an equivalent combination of education and experience for Level 5.
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or another relevant technical field and typically 8 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and typically 6 or more years; or a Ph.D. and typically 2 or more years; or an equivalent combination of education and experience for Level 6.
Ph.D. in computer science, mathematics, statistics, electrical engineering, information science, applied mathematics, data science, or an equivalent field; alternatively, a master’s degree with at least 4 years of directly related experience will be considered.
Ability to quickly learn new technical areas and apply that knowledge to challenging mission problems.
Knowledge of developing, implementing, testing, and evaluating novel algorithms and concepts.
Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to a wide range of audiences.
Proficiency in high-level prototyping software languages such as Python.
Demonstrated technical expertise and judgment, including the ability to adapt expertise to unfamiliar or emerging disciplines, systems, mission areas, or methods.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, workstreams, complex programs, or significant multi-team technical efforts and deliver complex outcomes.
Ability to evaluate alternatives and trade-offs, manage technical ambiguity, recommend paths forward, and adapt technical approaches to evolving project needs.
Demonstrated collaboration, mentorship, and ability to communicate recommendations, risks, and technical findings.
Experience contributing to technical reports, papers, presentations, proposals, or other formal technical deliverables.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in AI or machine learning.
Experience in RF system design and/or testing.
Experience in signal processing.
Experience in communication systems.
Experience with statistical models.
Experience with sensing modalities such as electro-optical or radar, platforms such as airborne or maritime, or data exploitation techniques such as tracking and data fusion.

Responsibilities

Lead projects, complex programs, major technical workstreams, multi-program initiatives, or technical portfolios involving multidisciplinary development, analysis, prototyping, integration, testing, evaluation, and technology transition.
Apply technical expertise and systems-level judgment to complex or ambiguous problems, evaluating alternatives, trade-offs, risks, stakeholder needs, and mission implications.
Translate broad or unclear objectives into actionable technical plans and influence program direction, architectures, systems, priorities, and roadmaps.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, sponsors, mission partners, and internal leaders to align priorities, resolve dependencies, and guide decisions and deliverables.
Assess and improve technical tools, processes, methods, documentation, execution practices, and organizational capability.
Serve as a technical resource and mentor by reviewing work, framing trade-offs and risks, and developing staff and emerging leaders.
Contribute to papers, reports, presentations, proposals, grants, roadmaps, and other materials that advance mission outcomes and technical direction.
Use technical subject matter expertise, modeling and simulation, and data analysis to assess technology performance and identify potential solutions or system architectures for operational deployment.
Conduct independent research, develop creative technical approaches, and communicate technical findings and recommendations to varied audiences.