Associate Staff - RF System Design and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Pension

401K

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Mentorship

Work-life balance

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA seeks an Associate Staff to design and advance RF and electromagnetic spectrum systems for national security. You will contribute to system engineering, modeling, hardware development, and field testing on multi-disciplinary teams.

Ideal candidates have a Master’s in EE or Applied Physics (or equivalent with 3+ years), strong programming in MATLAB/Python/C/C++, and experience with RF/subsystems, ES/EA/EP, and radar or remote sensing concepts.

Qualifications

• Master or equivalent in EE/Physics or related field.
• 3+ years experience acceptable in lieu of Master’s.
• Strong background in EM/RF engineering and systems design.
• Experience with radar, remote sensing, and ES/EA/EP applications.
• Ability to model, simulate, and analyze complex RF/electromagnetic systems.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and advance RF and electromagnetic systems for National Security applications.
• Engage in system engineering, modeling, and hardware development.
• Conduct testing, validation, and analysis of sensors and subsystems.
• Collaborate on multidisciplinary teams and contribute creative ideas.
• Travel occasionally for field exercises and sponsor presentations.

Skills

RF engineering

Radar systems

Remote sensing

Electromagnetic theory

Systems engineering

Space systems

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Analytic programming

Education

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or relevant field

Bachelor's degree with 3+ years experience in lieu

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Aerospace Toolbox

COMSOL Multiphysics

Ansys Systems/Satellite Tool Kit (STK)

Python

C/C++

RADI- editor (implied)

Job description

Associate Staff - RF System Design and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations

Date: Sep 17, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Electronics for Contested Space Group develops advanced electronic systems and technology for the protection of our Nation's most important space capabilities. We design and develop state-of-the-art satellites and satellite payloads, novel concepts for resilient space architectures, and the Nation's most sensitive radars, optics, and passive RF systems. The group also provides engineering rigor and experience to some of the most critical National Security programs through Laboratory-wide collaboration and acts in an advisory capacity to the U.S. Government. Recently we have prototyped electronic systems and effects, conducted hardware-in-the-loop testing of tactically relevant payloads with surrogate threat systems, developed RF subsystems for satellites, and analyzed spacecraft mission dynamics, environments, and resiliency.

Job Description

Group 94, Electronics for Contested Space, is seeking an electrical engineer and/or physicistto design, build, and advance technology for electronic, electromagnetic, and RF systems. The successful candidate will work on multi-disciplinary teams executing advanced research and developing systems critical to National Security. Experienced engineers with strong interest in electromagnetics, remote sensing, RF / antenna design, electronic warfare, and RF applications are strongly encouraged to apply. Typical tasks may include:

• System engineering and subsystem design
• Computational modeling and simulation of complex and highly sensitive systems
• Hardware development, design, and optimization, e.g., RF/microwave and electronic subsystems
• Integration, test, measurement, analysis, and troubleshooting
• Laboratory validation and field testing of sensors and systems
• Development of new and creative ideas for novel sensor technologies and applications

Occasional travel to support field exercises, presentations to sponsors and the community, and other events may be required.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a relevant technical field
  • In lieu of a Master's, a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and at least 3 years of relevant experience will be considered
• Significant professional or academic experience in at least two of the following areas:
  • Electromagnetic and RF engineering (system and/or design level)
  • Radar systems: including radar system design, evaluation and analysis
  • Remote sensing: passive/active RF and optical systems analysis, simulation, high-level design
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations and ES/EA/EP applications
  • Physics: classical electromagnetics, plasmas, optics, ionizing radiation
  • Systems engineering: integrated modeling, interface management, concept development
  • Space systems: vehicle design, environment analysis, performance estimation, risk assessment
• Demonstrable ability to:
  • Work responsibly and safely in laboratory and assembly environments
  • Develop respectful, productive working relationships
  • Communicate clearly, precisely, and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Solve broad and/or complex technical and/or engineering problems
  • Learn and apply advanced technical knowledge quickly and proficiently
• Analytic and/or scientific programming proficiency and experience (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar)

Desired Skills

• Active Top Secret Security Clearance highly desired
• Hands-on laboratory experience, including troubleshooting of complex systems and experience with laboratory measurement and characterization (e.g., analog circuits, impedance analyzers, vector network analyzers, oscilloscopes)
• Strong foundation in fundamental physical concepts and rigorous analytical analysis
• Experience with advanced sensors including quantum sensors, e.g., Rydberg atomic sensors, precision clocks, and magnetometers
• Experience with extremely sensitive RF applications including radiometers and electronic surveillance
• Experience developing engineering and scientific analyses, simulations in MATLAB (core, Simulink, and Aerospace Toolbox), COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Systems/Satellite Tool Kit (AGI STK)
• Experience analyzing large datasets in MATLAB, Python, R, or C/C++

Recent Graduate Hiring Range:$116,400-$140,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $116,400-$182,200

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.

Benefits

• 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 Top 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:43286

Nearest Major Market: Boston

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