Summer Research Program Graduate Intern , Tactical Defense Systems; Group

Summer Research Program Graduate Intern 2027, Tactical Defense Systems (Group 10-08)

Date: Oct 30, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Tactical Defense Systems Group works to understand air defense issues, in particular, air vehicle survivability, vulnerability of U.S. Air Force (USAF) aircraft to weapons systems, electronic countermeasures, and air surveillance for homeland defense. The group focuses on understanding USAF and threat air defense systems through tests and measurements. Test activities include flight, field, and laboratory testing. The group operates two airplanes, all highly instrumented, and numerous ground systems as needed for test efforts.

The group also develops new hardware for testing and prototype systems as well as for instrumenting existing sensors. There are a few major field-testing campaigns each year. Local testing is used to validate flight readiness. Data collected from testing are analyzed and compared with models in concert with Group 109, Systems and Analysis. The group's activities continue to evolve in parallel with USAF efforts, but the emphasis remains on providing answers to questions from our Air Force sponsors by conducting field measurements using state-of-the-art instrumentation and then analyzing the resulting data.

The group seeks a summer intern to assist our engineering staff with advanced concept demonstrations in the areas of data analysis, algorithm development, software development, and digital signal processing. At the conclusion of these demonstrations, the successful intern will have the opportunity to document and present their results to the group.

Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate will be pursuing a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or a related field with hands‑on experience in one or more of the following areas: software development, graphical user interface development, real time software, MATLAB or C++ programming, FPGA programming, digital design, digital signal processing, image processing, data analysis or artificial intelligence / machine learning.

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.

Summer Research Program Overview

The Summer Research Program offers students the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national security challenges while working alongside leading scientists and engineers. As an SRP intern, you'll engage in hands‑on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and take part in professional development opportunities including workshops, tech talks, and networking events-all while building connections within a vibrant community of peers.

• Internships are typically 10-12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, typically May through early August.
• Housing support is available for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one‑time taxable relocation payment.
• Complimentary daily shuttle transportation is provided from Boston‑based housing to and from the Lab.

Learn more about the Summer Research Program at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-program

Compensation

Hourly pay rates are based on the highest academic year or degree completed before the internship start date.

Freshman year completed: $25.00/hour
Sophomore year completed: $27.00/hour
Junior year completed: $29.00/hour
4th year of 5 year program completed, no degree conferred: $32.00/hour
Bachelors completed: $34.50/hour
Bachelors + 1, one year of graduate study completed: $36.50/hour
Bachelors + 2, two years of graduate study completed: $38.00/hour
MS…