Lasercom GNC Engineer-Associate

Lasercom GNC Engineer-Associate Staff

Date: Feb 3, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The individual will be responsible for supporting the end-to-end development of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) subsystems for lasercom systems. The individual will participate in the design, implementation, and verification of GN&C algorithms. The individual will work closely with other GN&C engineers in the development of embedded software and implementation in hardware, test infrastructure, and software tools used to design, build, and test lasercom systems.

The individual s contributions will play a key role in transitioning novel algorithm development from R&D into production.

Engineering opportunities exist at multiple experience levels. Roles are focused on algorithm design/ software engineering and span a diverse range of technical responsibilities including task and project leadership, individual contributor for novel algorithm development, design and implementation of test software and tooling for algorithm verification and validation, hardware test and validation, and continuous improvement initiatives for software engineering processes.

The candidate should be comfortable working in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment while contributing to innovative solutions, demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail.

• Support design studies and develop prototype GN&C system solutions
• Design GN&C architectures, translate these designs into software solutions, and implement these designs on system hardware components
• Perform analyses, including covariance and Monte-Carlo simulations and in-lab experiments, to support engineering activities (model-based design, concept feasibility analysis, error budgeting, and requirements flow-down)
• Develop system-level requirements, flow requirements to subsystems, and perform trade studies
• Develop analysis tools and conduct predictive-performance analyses

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical/ Mechanical/ Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or Physics, or B.S with 2 years of design experience
• Experience in algorithm development with MATLAB and C/C++
• Experience in development and testing of sensors and control actuators
• Experience in implementation and testing of GN&C software and hardware
• Experience with state estimation algorithms and Kalman filters
• Proficiency in digital signals and systems (FIR/IIR filters, LTI system models, Fourier transforms)
• Ability to continuously manage risk and apply lean software development techniques

• Experience with software verification and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Experience in embedded software development for Linux and/or real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Experience in full development lifecycle of GN&C subsystem
• Familiarity with optical or RF communication systems

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $116,400-$140,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $116,400-$182,200

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…