Group | Co-Op IT​/Sys Admin | Optical Systems Group

CO-OP Student – IT / Systems Administrator (Active Optical Systems Group)

Date: May 22, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Active Optical Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory develops cutting‑edge optical and infrared sensor technologies for national security applications, including laser radar systems (LADAR) and advanced imaging sensors. The group works on projects in surveillance, mapping, and threat detection.

As an undergraduate co‑op you will support the group’s essential IT systems and infrastructure, gaining hands‑on experience and collaborating with researchers. You will have opportunities to troubleshoot, configure operating systems, manage network infrastructure, and contribute to systems that support advanced research projects.

• Support day‑to‑day IT needs, including troubleshooting and system maintenance.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Manage network configurations and ensure software licenses are up to date.
• Assist with implementing security measures in line with government and Laboratory policies.

• Currently enrolled in an accredited Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Networking, or IT degree program with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Completed at least 1–2 years of undergraduate study (or equivalent) prior to employment.
• Knowledge of various operating systems:
  Windows, Windows Server, Unix/Linux, macOS.
• Basic understanding of, and ability to diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and networking challenges.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office application software.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Eagerness to learn and take initiative in solving problems.
• Willingness to take on new challenges and drive tasks forward with minimal direction.

• Experience with desktop level hardware and software applications such as Office, OS imaging (e.g., kickstart or Microsoft Deployment Toolkit), and Bit Locker.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages such as Bash, Perl, or Python.
• Work experience in mission‑critical environments.

By the end of the co‑op, you will have gained experience in developing and supporting rapid, field‑deployable systems. You will learn how to configure and troubleshoot complex network infrastructures, maintain and optimize operating systems, and ensure systems are ready for real‑time deployment. The experience will strengthen your skills in system administration and deployment in high‑stakes, fast‑paced settings.

• Technical Co‑Op: $24.50 – $31.00 per hour (based on year in school)
• Administrative Co‑Op: $21.50 – $25.00 per hour (based on year in school)

The 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 : 42733