Systems Engineer-Technical Staff 1

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health plans

MIT-funded pension

Matching 401K

Paid leave

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a Systems Engineer-Technical Staff 1 in Lexington, MA. You will lead a team delivering systems engineering across a large program, flowing down requirements and architecting system interfaces, with MBSE modeling and rigorous verification/validation planning.

The role emphasizes risk management, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and onsite work in Lexington with occasional travel. A strong background in MBSE and leading diverse teams is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Mechanical, Electrical, Aero/Astro, or Software Eng with systems engineering for space/airborne systems preferred; or MS + 5 years experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team performing systems engineering activities for a large program.
• Develop, flow down and track requirements; architect systems.
• Develop an MBSE model of systems and interfaces.
• Plan and lead verification and validation activities.
• Identify risks and define risk mitigation strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-disciplinary teams

Written & verbal communication

Education

PhD in Physics/Mechanical/Electrical/Aero-Astro/Software with systems eng (space/airborne)

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

Systems Engineer-Technical Staff 1

Date: Sep 15, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Systems Engineering Group (75) provides engineering leadership and core systems engineering functions to ensure that complex prototype system elements work together to meet critical national security mission objectives. We support space, airborne, and ground-based systems for sensing, imaging, communication and other applications. Our prototypes are on ground systems and on orbit, on large satellites and small CubeSats, flying on manned and unmanned aircraft, collecting data about stars, exoplanets, weather and other phenomena of interest.

We are part of high-performing, cross-disciplinary project teams that work across the entire project life-cycle, from trade studies, concept and architecture design to assembly, integration, field or flight testing and operation. Staff members have broad expertise across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines including systems, aerospace, mechanical, electrical and software engineering.

Position Description

The selected candidate will lead a team performing systems engineering activities for a large program. Responsibilities include developing, flowing down and tracking requirements, architecting systems, developing an MBSE model of the systems and their interfaces, planning and leading verification and validation activities, and identifying risks and defining risk mitigation strategies.

Minimum Qualifications

• A PhD in Physics, Mechanical, Electrical, Aero/Astro, Software Engineering with systems engineering for space or airborne systems preferred, or in lieu of a PhD, an MS degree and 5years of relevant experience
• The ability to support a full range of systems engineering activities for multiple programs
• The ability to use a systems perspective to identify needed technology development efforts
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce and present professional written reports and presentations
• Ability to work on-site in Lexington, MA up to 5 days per week as necessary
• Ability to travel approximately once per quarter as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools
• Experience with integration of hardware and software
• Active Top Secret clearance

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.

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: 43305

Nearest Major Market: Boston

Job Segment: Security Clearance, Systems Engineer, Top Secret Clearance, TS / SCI, Test Engineer, Government, Engineering