Lasercom R&D Engineer-Assistant Staff

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

MIT resources and professional dev.

Pension plan

401K match

Paid leave and education programs

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory seeks a recent STEM graduate to contribute to designing and testing free-space laser communication systems in Lexington, MA. You will run hands-on experiments, model results, and help take concepts from theory to hardware on an optical bench.

The role emphasizes independent experimentation, collaboration with a small team, and potential national security impact. Degree in Physics, EE, Optics/Photonics, CS, or related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a STEM field (completed or in progress, graduating 2026/2027).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work in a laboratory environment with optical/electronic hardware.
• US citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and characterize optical, RF, or software subsystems for next-generation free-space laser communication terminals.
• Run experiments, troubleshoot issues, and iterate on solutions.
• Perform modeling and analysis to inform technology investments and assess lab results.
• Collaborate closely with a small, tight-knit technical team.
• Apply theoretical fundamentals to real hardware on an optical bench.

Skills

Analytical skills

Laboratory experience

US citizenship

Security clearance eligibility

Education

STEM degree

Job description

Date: Sep 1, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Help Define the Future of Free-Space Optical Communication.

The Laser Communications Group designs, prototypes, analyzes, and tests free-space laser communications systems for a variety of government platforms and environments. Our research team develops new technology for laser communications systems, such as techniques to mitigate fluctuations in signal power caused by atmospheric turbulence, and methods to reduce wavefront distortions. We perform atmospheric modeling and simulation, and build precise acquisition, tracking, and pointing subsystems to support highly directional, low-probability-of-intercept communication links.

Major efforts within the group include the demonstration of a low-cost, high-performance airborne laser communications terminal, and the development of the nation's leading independent lasercom interoperability testing facility. We also serve as a trusted source of subject matter expertise to the US government on all aspects of laser communications.

We are seeking a recent graduate ready to apply strong technical fundamentals to real experiments, real hardware, and real-world impact from day one.

This is not a "shadow the senior engineer for two years" role. You will be in the lab running experiments, performing modeling and analysis, and contributing directly to systems that matter.

What You'll Actually Do

• Design and characterize optical, RF, or software subsystems for next-generation free-space laser communication terminals
• Run experiments, troubleshoot issues, and iterate on solutions
• Perform modeling and analysis to inform technology investments and assess laboratory results
• Collaborate closely with a small, tight-knit technical team
• Apply theoretical fundamentals from your coursework or research to real hardware on an optical bench
• Contribute to systems that may support satellite, airborne, or other mission-critical platforms

Who You Are

• Curious and inquisitive. You ask "why" and "what if" as often as you ask "what's the answer."
• A STEM graduate (Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics/Photonics, Aerospace, Computer Science, or related field) with a strong theoretical foundation
• Comfortable with ambiguity. You can reason through open-ended problems without needing a step-by-step manual
• Hands-on. You have laboratory experience - coursework, research, capstone project, or otherwise
• Acreative problem-solver who thinks beyond conventional constraints
• Someone motivated by work that has real-world national security impact

Nice-to-Haves (Not Dealbreakers)

• Research experience in an optics, photonics, or similar experimental physics laboratory
• Exposure to any of: optical systems/alignment, analog circuit design, embedded/systems software
• Experience with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB) or optical design software

Why Lincoln Laboratory

• Work on problems that don't exist anywhere else. We are often the first to attempt what we do.
• Strong mentorship. Senior technical staff who invest in your growth and development.
• Tuition assistance and continued learning. Access to MIT resources, conferences, and ongoing professional development.
• Work-life balance. Competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a culture that respects your time.
• A mission that matters. Your work will support national security and advance state-of-the-art space communication capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics/Photonics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM field (completed or in progress, graduating within the 2026/2027 academic year)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Willingness and ability to work in a laboratory environment, including handling optical and electronic hardware
• US citizenship is required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $100,200-$120,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $100,200-$150,000

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.