Optical Comm Researcher-Technical Staff

Job Title

Optical Comm Researcher-Technical Staff

Apr 21, 2026

Lexington, MA, US

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Department of Defense and operated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Laser Communications Group designs, prototypes, analyzes, and tests free‑space laser communications systems, develops techniques to mitigate signal power fluctuations caused by turbulence, and builds accurate acquisition, tracking, and pointing subsystems to support highly directional, low‑probability‑of‑intercept links.

• Develop unique prototypes and test assets for free‑space laser communications systems.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary team members and work independently on system conceptual design, systems analysis, modeling, component selection, and verification.
• Perform optical system alignment and testing; debug fiber optic and free‑space optics systems.
• Analyze data, produce clear visualizations, and document findings.
• Design and verify testbeds, write specifications, laser safety plans, test procedures, and summarize results.
• Assist in improving testing processes and support other team members with hardware re‑configuration and troubleshooting.

• Advanced degree in physics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, optical engineering, or a related field with significant coursework or experience in optics, lasers, and/or communications systems.
• At least 5 years of related experience post undergraduate degree (including graduate school).
• Familiarity working in a research and development focused laboratory environment involving optics, photonics, lasers, or related work.
• Familiarity with standard laboratory equipment such as real‑time scopes, sampling oscilloscopes, optical modulation analyzers, optical and RF spectrum analyzers.
• Familiarity with free‑space optical alignment and characterization instrumentation such as interferometers, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, theodolites, profilometers, wavefront sensors, and high‑speed infrared cameras or focal plane arrays.
• Experience with data analysis and clear visualization of laboratory results.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python.
• Experience presenting results in a professional setting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work well in a team.

• Ph.D. in physics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, optical engineering, or a related field with significant coursework or experience in optics, lasers, and/or communications systems.
• Familiarity working in a laboratory environment with laser communications hardware or components, and familiarity with fiber optic test equipment and components.
• Experience with systems analysis trades between RF and optical communications, and performing architecture studies based on state‑of‑the‑art technology.
• Familiarity with communications systems including capacity limits, modulation formats, receiver techniques (incoherent and coherent), and digital signal processing techniques.
• Familiarity with some subset of the following disciplines is advantageous but not required:
  • Stray light modeling / FRED software
  • Integration & test
  • Test automation
  • Optical test equipment
  • Communications system fundamentals
  • Optical communications simulation software
  • Numerical simulation and analysis tools
  • Scripting languages
  • Atmospheric science

Recent Graduate: $145,200 - $170,000
Experienced: $145,200 - $220,000

• 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
• Work‑life balance options
• ... and much more!

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre‑employment background investigation and must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance to start. They must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret level DoD security clearance with compartmented program eligibility in the future.

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