UAV​/Sensor Development, Prototyping, and Testing-Associate

Date: Jun 19, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Job Title: UAV/Sensor Development, Prototyping, and Testing-Associate Staff

The Advanced Capabilities and Systems Group is an agile, innovative, multi-disciplinary team developing novel system and technology concepts that address the nation's critical security challenges. The Group leverages focused analysis to understand solutions to defense and intelligence problems and then develops the solutions in a fast cycle of experimentation, prototyping, and testing. The Group supports the Army, Air Force, Navy, Special Operations Forces, and the Intelligence Community in a wide variety of prototyping efforts.

The Group consists of talented technical staff with expertise in electromagnetics, signal processing, radio frequency systems, antenna design, acoustics, EO/IR imaging, statistics, optimization, machine learning, UAS development, autonomous control, flight testing, software engineering, and embedded systems.

The Advanced Capabilities & Systems Group is seeking highly motivated engineers to join our team to develop new low-cost sensors across different modalities (RF, EO/IR, acoustic, etc.), electronic attack/protections (EA/EP) systems, and uncrewed airborne/surface/underwater vehicles (UAV/USV/UUV). Successful candidates will work in teams to rapidly develop, integrate, prototype, and test complete systems to be transitioned for use by U.S. service members. Additional responsibilities include customer presentations/demonstrations and team/project management.

The Advanced Capabilities & Systems Group works on innovative and fast-paced sensor development and uncrewed autonomous system programs (such as the Perdix micro UAS) from concept through operational prototype. Technical staff have the opportunity to work closely with service members to develop impactful solutions to some of the government's most challenging problems.

• MS degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or related degree; BS candidates with additional related experience will be considered
• Experience with sensor development and integration including radar, passive RF receivers, EO/IR cameras, or acoustics
• Hands on experience designing, prototyping, and field-testing air, ground, surface, or underwater vehicles.
• Candidates should have strong skills in the development and presentation of technical materials to varied audiences.
• Candidates should demonstrate strong teamwork skills with the ability to work productively and collaboratively with other team members
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance required

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

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

• 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 more!

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

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 : 42803