Job Description

The Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group develops new system concepts and techniques to support the US Government’s most critical communications needs. The Group specializes in RF communications in multi-domain applications (ground, sea, air, and space) for global assured connectivity in the presence of adversary interference and interception threats. The Group leverages its expertise in communications system analysis, digital signal processing, RF technology, rapid prototyping, and field experimentation to research, develop, characterize, and demonstrate new capabilities.

Job Overview

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Associate Staff provide critical multi-domain through expert multi-domain innovative research supporting the Laboratory’s national security mission. They prototype state-of-the-art technology solutions and engage in many steps of a program lifecycle with increasing independence and responsibility. As an Associate Staff member, you will contribute independently to multidisciplinary efforts, contribute to sponsor briefings, write test plans and reports, and apply complex and creative solutions to solving technical problems. You may own discrete project/program components or lead complex workstreams and small teams.

The Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group is seeking creative and enthusiastic candidates to perform analysis and contribute to the prototyping of advanced RF communications systems. Example daily activities could include system analysis (e.g., link budgets, detection and jamming performance modeling) and/or elements of RF system design depending on the candidate’s skillset (e.g., RF subsystem design and test, firmware/software development and test, system-level integration and test).

Additional Job Overview Details

The Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group is seeking creative and enthusiastic candidates to perform analysis and contribute to the prototyping of advanced RF communications systems. Example daily activities could include system analysis (e.g., link budgets, detection and jamming performance modeling) and/or elements of RF system design depending on the candidate’s skillset (e.g., RF subsystem design and test, firmware/software development and test, system-level integration and test).

Job Duties & 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 less-defined and complex problems, identifying appropriate methods, adapting established approaches, and evaluating trade-offs.
• Contribute to or lead system-, subsystem-, or component-level work spanning 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 and present findings, recommendations, and alternatives to appropriate audiences.
• Provide technical guidance, review, feedback, and mentorship while continuing to deepen mission-aligned expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates will be considered for the appropriate level based on their education, experience, demonstrated technical capabilities, leadership responsibilities, and the scope and complexity of their prior work.

Level 3 – Associate Staff

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 2+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree and typically 0+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid technical depth in a primary engineering, research, or other technical domain, with the ability to apply knowledge independently.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and manage components of project work.
• Experience contributing to technical documentation, analyses, reports, presentations, or project deliverables.
• Ability to collaborate across project teams and communicate technical information clearly to appropriate audiences.
• Emerging ability to guide less experienced colleagues and contribute to team capability development.

Level 4 – Associate Staff

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree and typically 2+ years of relevant experience; a PhD may be considered; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong technical depth in a primary domain with emerging breadth across related engineering, research, technical disciplines, or mission areas.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and lead components of projects or technical workstreams.
• Experience managing milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables for assigned project areas.
• Ability to communicate complex information to varied audiences and collaborate with project teams, sponsors, and internal partners.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor others, review work, and contribute to team technical capability.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with analyzing, developing, and testing elements of an RF system
• (e.g., RF subsystem design and test, firmware/software development and test, system-level integration and test)
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team and set priorities
• Strong problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in communication theory and/or digital signal processing approaches as applied to adaptive RF systems
• Previous experience in developing or integrating prototype or experimental communications systems (software-defined radios, antennas, field measurements, etc.)

Hiring Range: $114,000 - $148,000

Hiring Range 2: $124,000 - $164,000

Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including—but not limited to—the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• MIT-funded pension
• Matching 401K
• Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
• Mentorship programs
• A range of work-life balance options
• ... and much more!

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID: 43611