Operational Technology Cyber SME

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 100,600 - 136,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans

MIT-funded pension

Matching 401K

Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, etc.)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory, located in Lexington, Massachusetts, is seeking an experienced Operational Technology Cyber Resilience Subject Matter Expert. The candidate will contribute to R&D in cybersecurity by identifying and resolving security gaps in industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments.

If you possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and have at least 8 years of experience in OT cybersecurity, we encourage you to apply. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in operational technology cybersecurity.
• Experience securing SCADA systems and critical infrastructure environments.
• Strong understanding of OT/ICS protocols.

Responsibilities

• Identify OT security gaps and develop solutions.
• Work with stakeholders to address technical challenges.
• Provide guidance on OT cyber resilience.

Skills

Operational Technology cybersecurity

SCADA systems

Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Nozomi Networks

Claroty

Dragos

Tenable

Job description

Job Overview

Date: Jun 2, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Come and help defend the nation in cyberspace! In the Cyber Operations & Analysis Technology Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, we research challenging technical problems in cyber security, develop new technologies, and prototype first‑of‑a‑kind systems. We have particular focus on enabling human operators and improving operational systems, orienting our work toward strong practical impact.

• Quantifying risk posed by adversary cyber threats to key national security missions
• Enhancing the cyber security and resilience of critical infrastructure and other operational technology
• Protecting and defending U.S. weapon systems in cyber contested environments
• Helping the nation's cyber operators do their jobs better, faster, and at greater scale
• Creating game‑changing capabilities for defensive cyberspace operations

As an interdisciplinary group, we innovate by drawing insights from computer science, software engineering, data engineering, data science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, and allied technical fields. We collaborate with research partners across MIT, offering frequent opportunities to team and learn in new areas. If you want a career in R&D with the opportunity to have real impact on important problems, join us!

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Operational Technology (OT) Cyber Resilience Subject Matter Expert to join our team at MIT Lincoln Laboratory as a Specialist in a technical role. The successful candidate will have a strong background and experience in securing industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA systems, and critical infrastructure environments, as well as experience with OT‑specific security tools and threat analysis.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to technical R&D efforts identifying OT security gaps and developing solutions to meet operational needs in critical infrastructure and industrial environments
• Work closely with operational stakeholders to identify technical needs and challenges specific to OT/ICS environments
• Provide expert‑level guidance on OT cyber resilience to technical researchers, government stakeholders, and critical infrastructure owner/operators
• Stay informed of emerging OT‑specific cyber threats and vulnerabilities, including advanced persistent threats and nation‑state sponsored attacks
• Develop and maintain expertise in emerging technologies and techniques relevant for OT security and defense, including Zero Trust principles and techniques, artificial intelligence, secure remote access, asset discovery, and anomaly detection

Education and Technical Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• Minimum 8 years of experience in operational technology cybersecurity, including experience securing industrial control systems, SCADA systems, or critical infrastructure environments
• Experience with OT security tools and platforms such as Nozomi Networks, Claroty, Dragos, Tenable, or similar solutions for asset discovery, network monitoring, threat detection, and vulnerability management
• Strong understanding of OT/ICS protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, OPC, BACnet, Profinet), industrial networks, and operational technology environments
• Familiarity with OT‑specific cybersecurity frameworks and standards (e.g., IEC 62443, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NERC CIP)
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to think critically about unique OT security challenges
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including technical communication for non-technical audiences
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on difficult, open‑ended problems in OT cybersecurity with interdisciplinary technical teams
• Motivation to identify underlying technical problems and investigate solutions proactively

Desired Technical Expertise (Optional)

• Experience with programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Rust, and/or Java
• Hands‑on experience with specific industrial sectors (e.g., energy, manufacturing, water/wastewater, transportation, defense industrial base)
• Experience with OT incident response, forensics, or threat hunting in industrial environments
• Knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), human‑machine interfaces (HMIs), and other industrial automation components
• Experience working in a research environment, with a focus on developing and applying new technologies and techniques to solve complex OT security problems

General Requirements

• 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.
• Must be within commutable distance of Lexington, Massachusetts.
• This is a technical specialist position contributing to R&D in cyber security. Applicants looking for roles conducting cyber defense for the Lincoln Laboratory enterprise should look for other opportunities in those roles.

Hiring Range: $100,600 - $136,200

Job Grade: Spec‑II

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!

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: 42967