Optical & Quantum Communications Intern (Summer 2027) - Group 67

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 71,635,000 - 124,645,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing support

Relocation assistance

Shuttle service

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a student intern for the Optical & Quantum Communications Group in Lexington, MA. The role involves hands-on research across laser communications, optics, and quantum technologies.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in CS, EE, AE, or Math and have coursework in systems engineering, circuits, optics, or signal processing. Interns gain mentorship, workshops, and opportunities for professional development in a national security context.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a degree program (Undergrad, Master's, or PhD) in a relevant field.
• Exposure to laser communications, optics, or signal processing is preferred.
• Experience with hardware/software integration is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Participate in research across space, airborne, or terrestrial laser communications systems.
• Assist with projects on modems, photonics, and coding techniques.
• Support FPGA development for pointing, acquisition and tracking.
• Contribute to software development for laser communication terminals.

Skills

Laser communications

Coherent modems

FPGA development

Digital signal processing

Optics

Education

Currently enrolled in a degree program (CS, EE, AE, Math)

Job description

Optical & Quantum Communications Intern (Summer 2027) - Group 67

Date: Aug 19, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Optical & Quantum Communications Group develops advanced laser communications technology for use in a wide range of challenging environments including terrestrial, space and underwater applications. Primary areas of research include the development of sensitive, single-photon detector arrays, coherent modems, integrated photonic circuits, and novel modulation and coding approaches. Using these technologies, the group conducts research and development for a wide range of space, airborne, and terrestrial system applications, including terabit-per-second direct-to-Earth small-s satellite constellations, near-Earth wideband relay laser communication terminal hardware, and next-generation beam-director prototypes inherently scalable to deep-space systems. The group has also initiated new research efforts into extending the range and utility of extremely photon-starved undersea communication transceivers and entanglement-based quantum communication networks.

Job Description

As a student intern in this group, you will participate in research that impacts a wide range of space, airborne, or terrestrial laser communications systems. Examples of potential projects include working on technologies such as coherent modems, integrated photonics, modulation and coding approaches, lasercom terminal development, FPGA development for pointing, acquisition and tracking, software development for lasercom terminals, quantum entanglement, quantum memory, single-photon detector arrays, photon-starved undersea communication terminals, deep space (Mars or Uranus) lasercom missions, and others.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a degree program (Preferred majors: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aero/Astro, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics). All degree levels (Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD) are welcome to apply.

Candidates will have prior experience and/or course work in any of the following areas: systems engineering, digital and analog circuit development, laser communications, optics, modulation and coding techniques, digital signal processing and/or control systems.

Summer Research Program Overview

The Summer Research Program offers students the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national security challenges while working alongside leading scientists and engineers. As an SRP intern, you'll engage in hands‑on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and take part in professional development opportunities including workshops, tech talks, and networking events-all while building connections within a vibrant community of peers.

• Internships are typically 10-12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, typically May through early August.
• Housing support is available for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment.
• Complimentary daily shuttle transportation is provided from Boston-based housing to and from the Lab.

Compensation

Hourly pay rates below are effective January 2026 - December 2026 and will be reviewed again for Summer 2027.

• Freshman $25.00 $52,000
• Sophomore $27.00 $56,160
• Jr. $29.00 $60,320
• Sr. (no deg) $32.00 $66,560
• BS $34.50 $71,760
• BS + 1 $36.50 $75,920
• BS + 2 $38.00 $79,040
• MS $39.00 $81,120
• MS + 1 $41.00 $85,280
• MS + 2 $42.50 $88,400
• MS + 3 $43.50 $90,480

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: 43180

Nearest Major Market: Boston

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