Scientist​/Engineer - Laser Modeling and Analysis

Job Title

Scientist / Engineer - Laser Modeling and Analysis

May 4, 2026

Lexington, MA, US

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

As NASA prepares to return humans to the Moon in the Artemis program, Lincoln Laboratory enabled the first-ever laser communication link for a crewed deep-space flight. The Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System, developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory in collaboration with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, successfully used lasers to transmit high-definition video back to Earth as the Artemis II astronauts executed their lunar flyby.

This work builds on decades of innovation at Lincoln Laboratory in lasers, sensors, and communications systems.

Our recent work in laser technology spans applications from high-resolution 3D imaging ladar systems used for large-area terrain mapping and disaster response, to advanced laser communication systems enabling resilient, high-bandwidth links, to high-energy laser architectures employing coherent beam combining to achieve record levels of brightness and beam quality. We also develop beam-control approaches to enable laser operation in challenging environments, and hardware and data processing techniques to detect and geolocate laser use.

Across these efforts, modeling, simulation, and data analysis play a critical role in system design, performance prediction, and informing the direction of innovation to have lasting mission impact.

Laser Modeling and Analysis

The Laser Technology and Applications Group seeks to add a member to the Modeling and Analysis Team. This role includes modeling laser propagation and electro-optic sensing devices, and analyzing the results of calculations, simulations, and experiments. These efforts support the development of directed energy and other laser systems, photonic devices and circuits, novel tools for scientific study, and related technologies with national security impact.

The Modeling and Analysis Team is involved with all stages of development, including developing initial understanding of novel concepts, the generation of performance predictions to inform hardware-development programs, and the design of detailed models of existing systems. The candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team on analytic work, code development, AI/ML design and training, and data processing in support of many different programs.

This team works closely with experimental and hardware development efforts across Lincoln Laboratory, and there may be opportunities to work directly in the laboratory for data collection and analysis.

• Ph.D. in engineering, physics, or a related field or M.S. with at least three years of relevant experience in engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is desired: physics-based modeling and simulation, wave optics, optical propagation, systems analysis, mission analysis, experimental work with lasers, and beam control.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++) and experience developing computational tools in a team environment are highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills, along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment, are essential.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200 - $170,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200 - $220,000

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…