Engineering Associate, Systems Engineer

The Tactical Defense Systems Group drives innovation in air defense to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. Air Force (USAF) operations. Our team addresses critical challenges in air vehicle survivability, vulnerabilities to advanced weapons systems, electronic countermeasure development, testing infrastructure, and air surveillance for homeland defense. By combining cutting‑edge technology with creative problem‑solving, we shape the future of air defense through impactful solutions.

We conduct flight, field, and laboratory testing to understand USAF and adversary air defense systems. Our team designs and develops specialized instrumentation and prototype systems to support these initiatives. Each year, we lead major field‑testing campaigns using a fleet of highly instrumented aircraft and advanced ground systems, while local testing ensures flight readiness and system validation. We analyze data collected during testing and compare it with sophisticated models in collaboration with the Systems and Analysis Group (109).

These efforts deliver precise answers to critical questions from Air Force partners. Join the Tactical Defense Systems Group to tackle meaningful challenges, drive innovation in national security, and accelerate your career in a dynamic, mission‑driven environment.

• Develop expertise in sensor systems to operate them during tests and collect critical data.
• Plan and execute laboratory, field, and flight tests of advanced RF, IR, and optical sensors, ensuring high‑quality data collection.
• Analyze test data and collaborate with the team to produce actionable reports.
• Support design, integration, and verification of testbeds, radars, and sensors for future testing.
• Participate in test planning, operations, and data analysis, presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Mentor junior staff and interns, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Communicate effectively with teams and stakeholders to refine methodologies and share results.
• Demonstrate curiosity and initiative, exploring new technologies to enhance testing capabilities.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to troubleshoot and create end‑to‑end systems.
• Travel domestically to support field and flight tests, adapting to dynamic environments.
• Develop innovative solutions for testing challenges, improving methodologies and systems.
• Promote mentorship and inclusion, encouraging diverse perspectives and a positive team culture.

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• In lieu of a Master’s degree, a Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of directly applicable experience will be considered.
• Practical test experience with RF, IR, radar or optical sensors and data analysis.
• Proven ability to demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of automated design tools, software engineering languages such as C/C++, or experience with data analysis tools such as MATLAB.
• Design and assembly of hardware or software systems, experience with embedded systems, signal/image processing or data collection systems in the RF/IR/optical domains is desired.

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…