Research Scientist - System Security Researcher

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 145,200 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans

MIT-funded pension

Matching 401K

Tuition reimbursement

Work-life balance options

Job summary

A leading research institution is seeking a Research Scientist in Lexington, MA, focusing on advanced secure communication and computing technologies. You'll develop and prototype innovations for mission-critical national security systems, requiring a PhD or a Master's with relevant experience. This role offers opportunities in technical leadership and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. The annual salary range is $145,200 – $220,000, including comprehensive benefits and a commitment to a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's with 5 years experience in relevant fields.
• Expertise in architecture and implementation of secure systems.
• Strong communication skills for a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Advance secure communications and computing technologies.
• Develop and apply innovations to mission-critical systems.
• Collaborate with experts across disciplines on innovative solutions.

Skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Education

PhD in Computer Security or related field

Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience

Tools

Secure programming in Rust and C/C++

Applied cryptography

Job description

Research Scientist - System Security Researcher

Date: Mar 15, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Secure Resilient Systems and Technology group applies foundational and applied cybersecurity research to the most critical challenges in national security. We develop secure systems that are resilient to adversarial threats – now and in the future. Our work spans the entire R&D spectrum: from system architecture and threat modeling, to cryptographic protocol design, secure implementation, field prototyping, and transition. Our mission is to ensure that national security systems can be trusted and relied on, even in adversary‑contested environments.

We work closely with mission areas and divisions across Lincoln Laboratory, enabling breakthroughs in communications, sensing, autonomy, and space systems to retain their strategic edge in real‑world deployments. Collaboration across disciplines is central to our impact. Our staff includes system security researchers, applied cryptographers, software engineers, formal methods experts, and embedded systems developers. We bring modern security approaches into complex, high‑stakes environments where assurance, performance, and operational realities must coexist.

We are a collegial and mission‑driven team. We value excellence, innovation, inclusion, and individual growth. Our culture is known for mentoring and developing PIs and technical leaders. We strive to bring out the best in our people – and our systems – so that the Laboratory, and the nation, can count on them when it matters most.

If you would like to pursue your passion for cutting‑edge research and work on things that truly matter at a place that combines problems of pressing national importance with MIT's culture of academic excellence, abundance of resources, and superior work‑life balance, apply here to learn more.

Job Description

As a Research Scientist, you will:

• Advance the state of the art in secure communications, computing, and storage technologies.
• Develop, prototype, and apply these innovations to next‑generation mission‑critical systems relevant to National Security.
• Participate in end‑to‑end research activities, from concept development and systems analysis to prototyping and technology transfer.
• Collaborate with experts across disciplines to drive innovative solutions that meet real‑world challenges and stakeholder needs.
• Have opportunities to take on technical leadership roles, shape research directions, support and eventually lead program development, and drive strategic initiatives that advance the Laboratory's mission and amplify its impact.

Required Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you should have:

• A PhD in Computer Security, System Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Alternatively, a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Expertise in at least one of the following:
  • Architecture, analysis, design, implementation, and verification of secure and/or cryptographic embedded software, subsystems, systems, or protocols.
  • Academic or professional research in computer security, resiliency, or cryptography, demonstrated through innovative and impactful publications or projects.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a collaborative environment.

We value varied paths to expertise and encourage candidates with practical experience or alternative educational backgrounds to apply.

Desired Knowledge

We also value experience or interest in one or more of the following:

• Threat modeling and security requirements analysis.
• Applied cryptography and protocols, including industry and government standards.
• Operating system internals, embedded systems security, and network protocols.
• Secure programming in languages such as Rust and C/C++.
• Applied formal methods and software analysis tools.
• Technical mentoring and leadership, including guiding junior team members and fostering collaborative environments.
• Program leadership, such as overseeing project execution, managing deliverables, or driving strategic initiatives.
• Experience with grant writing, funding applications, and sponsor engagement to support research and program development.

We don't expect candidates to have knowledge in all of these areas, and welcome candidates eager to grow into these areas through hands‑on experience and learning.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200 – $170,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200 – $220,000

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.

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.
• 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.

Requisition ID: 42277