Summer Research Program 2027, Graphic Artist Intern, ISR Systems & Architectures (Group 10-01)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory's ISR Systems and Architectures Group seeks a Summer Research Program Graphic Artist Intern to transform complex scientific work into clear visuals. You will create illustrative content for technical staff and interns, learning the lab's graphic style and asset management workflows.

You will work onsite in Lexington, MA for 10–12 weeks, under mentorship, with opportunities to collaborate with researchers and other graphic artists while developing practical communication

Qualifications

• Must still be a student (undergraduate or graduate) through Fall 2026.
• Competence in Adobe Illustrator and PowerPoint.
• Attention to detail.
• Demonstrated skill in the visual communication of ideas and messages.
• Ability to collaborate or work independently.
• A balance of creativity and pragmatism.

Responsibilities

• Create illustrative and graphic content for technical staff and interns.
• Translate scientific data and concepts into clear visuals and graphics.
• Follow established workflows and meet project deadlines.
• Learn Lincoln Laboratory's graphic style and asset management practices.
• Collaborate with scientists, researchers, and peers to refine visuals.

Skills

Graphic design

Visual communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Creativity

Pragmatism

Attention to detail

Education

Currently enrolled student through Fall 2026

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

PowerPoint

Job description

Summer Research Program 2027, Graphic Artist Intern, ISR Systems & Architectures (Group 10-01)

Date: Oct 7, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The ISR Systems and Architectures group performs analysis and experimentation to develop concepts for filling critical gaps in U.S. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This work includes evaluating mission needs by considering future operational scenarios, and developing options for addressing these needs through advanced technologies and novel system concepts. Studies within the group can cover a broad range of technical areas, including advanced sensor systems, new platforms, communications, navigation solutions, and data exploitation approaches. The analyses performed by the group can lead to experimental test campaigns to collect data to verify modeling results and have also generated opportunities for hardware and software prototyping at Lincoln Laboratory. The analysis topics and questions are typically posed by senior leaders in the Air Force and the work for the group is briefed out widely to help inform critical decisions and impact future acquisitions.

Position Description

The Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Architectures Group is seeking a summer intern to work on graphics for projects related to the modeling and analysis of ISR and tactical systems.

The graphic artist intern works on illustrative and graphic content for technical staff and technical interns in the ISR Systems and Architectures group. This work entails taking scientific and technical work and putting it in a format that is easier to understand when presented; ranging from layout design and typography, to representing data in the form of graphs, to illustrating scenarios that are taking place in different geographical landscapes. The intern will be responsible for following established workflows and managing deadlines. They will learn the Lincoln Laboratory and ISR Systems and Architectures Group's graphic style, how to effectively manage assets, and work with the group.

The intern will have assignments-based training on the job with regular mentorship, as well as opportunities to work and network with other graphic artists at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. The intern will also receive guidance in other important practical skills, such as communication (with scientists, technical researchers, and peers).

The intern will work onsite and will work closely with a supervisor from the Group's graphics team. Office space, a laptop, and relevant design software are provided. No permanent position is available at the conclusion of this internship, although candidates may be considered for available positions with an official application.

The successful intern will be a student (undergraduate, graduate certificate, master's degree or PhD candidate) with a focus in scientific and educational graphics and communication. Experience with Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft PowerPoint is required.

Requirements

Qualifications for Internship

• Must still be a student (undergraduate or graduate) through Fall 2026
• Competence in Adobe Illustrator and PowerPoint
• Attention to detail
• Demonstrated skill in the visual communication of ideas and messages
• Ability to collaborate or work independently
• A balance of creativity and pragmatism

Internship Application Requirements

• Current Resume
• Portfolio containing 6-12 pieces of work in pdf format
• Link to website if applicable
• Two references

Summer Research Program Overviw

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.

Learn more about the Summer Research Program at: https://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/student-opportunities/summer-research-program

Compensation

Hourly pay rates are based on the highest academic year or degree completed before the internship start date.

• Freshman year completed: $25.00/hour
• Sophomore year completed: $27.00/hour
• Junior year completed: $29.00/hour
• 4th year of 5 year program completed, no degree conferred: $32.00/hour
• Bachelors completed: $34.50/hour
• Bachelors + 1, one year of graduate study completed: $36.50/hour
• Bachelors + 2, two years of graduate study completed: $38.00/hour
• MS completed: $39.00/hour
• MS + 1, one year of graduate study completed after the MS: $41.00/hour
• MS + 2, two years of graduate study completed after the MS: $42.50/hour
• MS + 3, three years of graduate study completed after the MS: $43.50/hour

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.