Thermal Engineer - Assistant Staff

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Thermal Engineering team in Lexington, MA seeks an entry-level Thermal Engineer to contribute to prototyping efforts. You will design, analyze, and test thermal systems involving high power electronics, sensitive optics, and RF hardware, with opportunities to engage in multidisciplinary collaboration.

The role emphasizes hands-on experience, opportunities for mentorship, and growth toward technical and programmatic leadership within Group 74.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to learn new technologies.
• Strong oral and written communication of results.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• May require periodic travel to meetings and field sites.

Responsibilities

• Assist design, analysis, and testing of thermal systems for prototypes.
• Serve as a functional engineer for systems with high power electronics, optics, and RF hardware.
• Utilize thermal modeling tools (desirable) and hands-on testing experience.
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary team with mission partners and sponsors.

Skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Clear communication

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Thermal Engineer - Assistant Staff

Date: Sep 21, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Structural & Thermal-Fluids Engineering Group (74) develops first-of-a-kind prototype systems across underwater, ground, air, and space domains for high-impact national security missions. Engineers work on advanced structural and material systems for space-based imaging and laser communications, thermal management solutions from cryogenic to hypersonic regimes, and aerodynamic design and assessment for unmanned aerial vehicles, airborne pods, and hypersonic platforms. Solutions are realized through the integration of high-fidelity analytical and computational modeling, multidisciplinary simulation, environmental testing, and advanced materials, addressing demanding performance, size, weight, power, and environmental constraints that are at the front of current engineering capabilities.

The Group offers a collaborative, hands-on environment where engineers pair deep analytical expertise with direct ownership of hardware development, integration, and testing. Engineers are supported in their growth through mentorship and opportunities for increasing technical and programmatic leadership, participation in conferences and professional societies, and direct engagement with mission partners and government sponsors.

Group 74 is seeking an entry level engineer with a strong desire to support the design, analysis, and test of thermal systems as part of the Laboratory's prototyping efforts. The candidate will serve as a functional engineer in the development of systems that feature high power electronics, sensitive optical systems, and RF hardware that must operate in a range of thermal conditions and environments. Experience using thermal modeling tools is desired but not required. Candidates ideally also have some experience with thermal testing and can demonstrate a background with hands on skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• The ability to work in multidisciplinary teams is essential
• A desire to learn more about a variety of new technologies and applications.
• Must be able to clearly communicate results in oral presentations and written reports.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• May require periodic travel to meetings and field sites.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range:$100,200 - $120,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $100,200 - $150,000

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 pagefor 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 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:43379

Nearest Major Market:Boston

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