Licensing Officer

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Pension

401K matching

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory seeks a Licensing Officer to evaluate IP, identify commercialization opportunities, and manage licensing activities. The role collaborates with technical, legal, and business stakeholders to advance government-sponsored research and national security goals.

The officer will negotiate license agreements, assess IP value, and align licensing with strategic objectives while ensuring export control and security considerations are met.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Physical Sciences required, engineering preferred.
• Advanced technical degree preferred but not required.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in engineering, tech transfer, IP, or related field.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication with researchers and sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Identify potential licensees across defense, industry, and startups.
• Evaluate commercial potential of IP and technology assets.
• Participate in negotiation and execution of license agreements.
• Understand national security classifications and export controls in licensing.
• Provide feedback on patent strategy and IP protection needs.
• Coordinate with sponsored research and licensing transactions.
• Collaborate with marketing and business development for outreach.
• Maintain relationships with MIT campus tech licensing office staff.
• Manage a diverse licensing portfolio with multiple licensing models.

Skills

Multi-priority management

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Negotiation

Education

B.S. in Physical Sciences

Electrical Engineering degree (preferred)

Advanced technical degree (preferred)

Job description

Licensing Officer

Date: Aug 12, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Licensing Officer supports the Laboratory's technology transfer mission by evaluating intellectual property, identifying commercialization opportunities, managing licensing activities, and working collaboratively with technical, legal, and business stakeholders. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of licensing opportunities, contribute to licensing strategy, and assist in negotiating agreements that advance the Laboratory's mission while supporting government sponsor objectives.

Essential Functions

• Identify potential licensees in the defense industrial base, large industry leaders, small businesses, and spinout/startup companies


• Evaluate the commercial potential and value proposition of intellectual property assets, including patents, software, and other technology assets in the context of industry trends and partner business goals


• Participate in the negotiation and execution of license agreements and related technology transfer agreements under the guidance of senior staff as appropriate


• Carefully understand technology sensitivities as it relates to national security classification and export control and respond accordingly in license negotiation / execution


• Work collaboratively with the IP management team to understand available assets and provide feedback on patent prosecution/IP protection strategy based on licensee needs and progress


• Work with collaborative research contracting team to ensure strategic alignment of sponsored research agreements and parallel / future licensing transactions


• Work collaboratively with the marketing / business development functions to maximize effectiveness of outreach


• Develop and maintain productive relationships with MIT campus technology licensing office staff to ensure effective information exchange, co-management strategies of overlapping cases, and best practices for licensing under MIT policies


• Manage a diverse portfolio of cases, strategizing a variety of licensing approaches (express licensing, exclusive/non-exclusive licensing, open-source, etc.) for commercialization in alignment with government sponsor and national security goals

Requirements

• Minimum of a B.S. in a Physical Sciences, with preference given to candidates with degrees in Electrical Engineering or related field


• An advanced technical degree is preferred, although not required


• Approximately 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in engineering, technology commercialization, intellectual property, product management, business development, research administration, technology transfer, or a related field.


• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.


• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with careful attention to detail.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with researchers, attorneys, government sponsors, and industry representatives.


• Experience with intellectual property, licensing, contracts, or commercialization activities is preferred but not required.


• Familiarity with federal research environments, government technology transfer, or national security technologies is desirable.


• U.S. citizenship required.


• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Hiring Range: $99,300 - $131,600

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 ofother 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: 43178

Nearest Major Market: Boston

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