Technical Staff - Signal Processing & Software Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top Secret security clearance highly

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a digital signal processing engineer to collaboratively lead multidisciplinary teams developing resilient space systems. You will model, analyze, prototype, and demonstrate concepts through real-world experiments across terrestrial and space domains. Travel to field exercises and sponsor events may be required.

You will mentor junior staff and engage with sponsors while delivering secure, scalable software in Linux environments with modern CI/CD practices.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or similar; or MS/ME with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Significant experience with digital signal processing techniques and algorithms.
• Strong software engineering experience in C/C++, Rust, Java or other system-level languages.
• Familiarity with container technologies and container orchestration tools.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and security integration in development workflows.
• Experience developing code and operating in a Linux environment.
• Experience aligning software with cybersecurity requirements.
• Experience in radar, remote sensing, electronics, autonomous systems, physics, systems engineering, or space systems.
• Ability to work safely in lab environments, communicate clearly, and learn quickly.

Responsibilities

• Collaboratively lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers.
• Model, analyze, prototype, and demonstrate innovative concepts with real-world experiments.
• Independently develop new ideas and engage with sponsors and the community.
• Mentor junior staff and support field exercises when needed.

Skills

Digital signal processing

System-level programming

Linux environment

CI/CD tooling

Secure software engineering

Education

PhD in a technical field

MS/ME + 5 years experience

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

COMSOL Multiphysics

Ansys Systems/Satellite Tool Kit

Job description

Technical Staff - Signal Processing & Software Engineer

Date: Sep 17, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Electronics for Contested Space Group develops advanced electronic systems and technology for the protection of our Nation's most important space capabilities. We design and develop state-of-the-art satellites and satellite payloads, novel concepts for resilient space architectures, and the Nation's most sensitive radars, optics, and passive RF systems. The group also provides engineering rigor and experience to some of the most critical National Security programs through Laboratory-wide collaboration and acts in an advisory capacity to the U.S. Government. Recently we have prototyped electronic systems and effects, conducted hardware-in-the-loop testing of tactically relevant payloads with surrogate threat systems, developed RF subsystems for satellites, and analyzed spacecraft mission dynamics, environments, and resiliency.

Job Description

Group 94, Electronics for Contested Space, is seeking a digital signal processing engineer to collaboratively lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers in developing the next generation of resilient space systems. Alongside world-class experts, you will model, analyze, prototype, and demonstrate innovative concepts using real-world experiments across the terrestrial and space domains. Activities will include the independent development of new ideas and approaches, communication with sponsors and the community, and the mentoring of junior staff. This is an opportunity to augment and secure the future of space operations for the Nation and its partners.

Occasional travel to support field exercises, presentations to sponsors and the community, and other events may be required.

Requirements

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a similar technical field
  • In lieu of a PhD, a MS or ME and at least 5 years of relevant experience will be considered
• Significant experience with digital signal processing techniques and algorithms
• Strong software engineering experience with demonstrated proficiency in C/C++, Rust, Java, or another system-level programming language, with a focus on developing secure, scalable, and maintainable systems.
• Familiarity with container technologies and container orchestration tools
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions) and security integration tools
• Strong experience with developing code and operating in a Linux environment
• Experience developing software in alignment with cybersecurity requirements
• Significant professional or academic experience in at least one of the following areas, and some familiarity and career interest in several others:
  • Radar systems: including radar system design, evaluation and analysis
  • Remote sensing: passive/active RF and optical systems analysis, simulation, high-level design
  • Electronics: analog / digital signal processing, prototype test development and execution
  • Control of autonomous systems: state estimation, instrument modeling, navigation, remote, unattended operation
  • Physics: classical electromagnetics, plasmas, optics, ionizing radiation
  • Systems engineering: integrated modeling, interface management, concept development
  • Space systems: vehicle design, environment analysis, performance estimation, risk assessment
• Demonstrable ability to:
  • Work responsibly and safely in laboratory and assembly environments
  • Develop respectful, productive working relationships
  • Communicate clearly, precisely, and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Solve broad and/or complex technical or engineering problems
  • Learn and apply advanced technical knowledge quickly and proficiently
  • Analytical and/or scientific programming proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or other languages

Desired Skills:

• Active Top Secret Security Clearance highly desired
• Broad engineering and scientific discipline knowledgebase and research skills
• Experience collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting experimental data taken in an operational laboratory environment
• Experience with MATLAB Simulink & Aerospace Toolbox, COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Systems/Satellite Tool Kit

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 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 Top 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: 43290

Nearest Major Market: Boston

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