GNC and Autonomy Engineer-Associate

Position

GNC and Autonomy Engineer‑Associate Staff

Mar 19, 2026

Lexington, MA, US

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Tactical Autonomy Group develops and delivers AI‑enabled autonomy and robotic systems where it counts - at the tactical edge. As an FFRDC, we combine academic depth in algorithms, controls, and machine learning with the execution speed of industry and the mission pull from operational end‑users to solve problems others can’t. We design, build, integrate, field‑test, and transition autonomy stacks—spanning perception, decision‑making, learning, and control—into real operations across the DoD and Intelligence Community.

• Contribute to navigation and estimation teams developing autonomous systems and payloads for sea, ground, and air domains.
• Leverage experience in state estimation, optimization, and object‑oriented programming across the full project lifecycle from concept definition to field testing.
• Support GPS‑denied capabilities incorporating magnetic, vision, and radio‑frequency sensors for single and multi‑agent concepts.
• Explore cutting‑edge approaches and publish research as applicable.

• Master’s degree with 3 years’ experience, or Bachelor’s in Engineering or Computer Science with 5 years’ experience.
• Hands‑on experience with autonomous uncrewed systems and modern feedback control (robust, optimal, adaptive) and state estimation (Kalman/particle filters, factor graphs, SLAM).
• Strong C++ programming skills in a Linux environment.
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, well‑architected software.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to present technical and non‑technical topics.

• Familiarity with ROS and/or Python.
• Experience with GPS‑Denied Navigation.
• Knowledge of machine learning.
• Computer vision algorithms and hardware expertise.
• Real‑time software and real‑time operating systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET DOD‑level security clearance.

• Recent Graduate: $116,400 – $140,000
• Experienced: $116,400 – $182,200

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans.
• MIT‑funded pension.
• Matching 401K.
• Paid leave (vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.).
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs.
• Mentorship programs.
• A range of work‑life balance options.
• And much more.

Pre‑employment background investigation required. Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret level security clearance with compartmented program eligibility.

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.

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