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Optical/Electronics Engineer-Associate Staff

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Lexington, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/18/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/19/2026
The Active Optical Systems Group develops and fields unique, world-class optical sensor systems across multiple mission areas of national importance. Our Group has a history of successful innovations; we have fielded a high-area coverage rate foliage-penetrating 3D imaging lidar using single photon-sensitive detector arrays; we developed a novel ultra-wideband coherent lidar; and we have MIT LL digital pixel focal plane array technology to develop unique passive IR sensors. These systems leverage our Groups' creativity; over the past decade, our staff have filed 25 technology disclosures and have been granted 12 patents. Additionally, our group projects have won multiple R&D100 Awards, a prestigious innovation award honoring revolutionary ideas in science and technology.

Our portfolio of programs spans smaller, high-risk, high-reward seedling studies and experiments that explore novel techniques and technologies to the fielding of larger, more mature systems that are designed, developed and integrated onto target platforms, such as aircraft. We host world-class expertise in optical phenomenology, optical sensors, high-speed embedded processing, and data exploitation and visualization algorithms. We are a dedicated and innovative Group that values differences and looking for exceptional candidates to help us build the next generation of optical sensors.

Position Description

We are looking for an individual with a demonstrated background in firmware design and digital and analog electronics to help design the next generation of custom advanced EO/IR systems. The successful candidate can leverage both specialized knowledge and general design rules to work with a small team to architect, design, build, and test prototype systems. The individual needs effective analytical and data processing skills to enable the testing and evaluation of systems under design.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or equivalent. In lieu of a Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree and 3 years of experience will be considered.
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas is desired: Digital and analog electronics circuit design, high-performance, real-time embedded firmware development

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team and be able to effectively communicate with non-experts in analog and digital electronics.
  • The ability to work with system-level designers to craft electronics requirements strongly desired.

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

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

Disclaimer: 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 include:

  • 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 much more!

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

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 ID: 42845

Salary : $116,400 - $140,000

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