Demo

Systems Engineer

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Huntsville, AL Full Time
POSTED ON 4/25/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/25/2026
To help defend our nation, deployed forces, and allies from ballistic missile attacks, the Integrated Missile Defense Technology Group supports the Missile Defense Agency as well as SMDC in the development, deployment, testing, and enhancement of the Missile Defense System (MDS). We continuously develop and enhance MDS elements to enable them to keep pace with rapidly evolving threats. Our staff are involved in the development and integration of these elements from the analysis and characterization of the worldwide ballistic missile threat to the fielding of new MDS capabilities. We perform system and component engineering, algorithm development, advanced technology prototyping, and validation of system performance by means of analysis and testing (often partnering with the Reagan Test Site).

Job Description

Group 36, the Integrated Missile Defense Technology Group, seeks a candidate to contribute to ongoing and future sponsor-facing efforts to evolve missile defense architectures and associated MDS components (sensors, command and control [C2] and interceptors), as well as remotely support test range operations from Huntsville for the Reagan Test Site in Kwajalein. Example MDS tasks include systems architecture development to counter advanced threats, systems engineering oversight of planned MDS improvements, and MDS performance assessment based upon test data. Example range support tasks could include mission planning and support, algorithm development, trade studies, and technology proposal development. Sponsor-facing duties include representing MIT LL to the sponsor community, coordinating between the sponsor and MIT LL management on technical priorities, and being a focal point for sponsor requests. The candidate will need to be proficient in mathematical modeling and software development to execute technical analyses. The candidate will need expertise in mission planning, radar systems, and distributed software development to facilitate the range support functions. The candidate will need good written and oral communication skills as well as project management expertise to execute the sponsor-relation responsibilities. Candidate must also be able to conduct analysis independently and as part of a larger team effort. This position is intended to be filled at the Laboratory's Huntsville, Alabama Field Site.

Requirements
  • MS degree in physics, electrical engineering, mathematics, systems engineering or a related field. In lieu of a MS degree, an BS degree and 3 years of position-related experience will be considered
  • Be currently located in or willing to relocate to the Huntsville, AL area
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to clearly present technical concepts to a wide spectrum of audiences to include government program leadership
  • Ability to work mostly independently to execute research and prepare findings for presentation
  • Ability to collaborate within a research team and across an enterprise (including remote participants)

Desired Skills

  • Execution of analysis using physical modeling/digital twins
  • Infrared signature prediction and EOIR sensor experience
  • Radar signature prediction and radar sensor experience
  • Mission planning for test events
  • Systems analysis and engineering
  • Algorithm development, implementation, testing and evaluation
  • Proficient at high-level prototyping software language (e.g., MATLAB)
  • Data reduction and exploitation
  • Remote sensor architectures and operation

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: 42101

Salary : $116,400 - $140,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Systems Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Systems Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$71,709 - $89,893
Income Estimation: 
$87,720 - $106,708
Income Estimation: 
$91,370 - $117,201
Income Estimation: 
$115,390 - $147,559
Income Estimation: 
$106,780 - $140,358
Income Estimation: 
$104,963 - $131,876
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Meade, MD
  • The Cyber System Assessments Group performs software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research and discovery, and system exploitation. We de... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lexington, MA
  • The Optical and Quantum Communication Group develops impactful quantum and classical technologies and system prototypes for use in a wide range of challeng... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lexington, MA
  • The Software and Electronics Engineering Group collaborates with every research area at the Laboratory to create systems that accomplish their objectives i... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lexington, MA
  • The Electronics for Contested Space Group develops advanced electronic systems and technology for the protection of our Nation's most important space capab... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Systems Engineer jobs in the Huntsville, AL area that may be a better fit.

  • Kratos Unmanned Systems Huntsville, AL
  • 5-D Systems, a KRATOS Company, is seeking a highly motivated candidate who will provide full lifecycle systems engineering technical contribution and leade... more
  • 11 Days Ago

  • Verity Integrated Systems, Inc. Huntsville, AL
  • Company Description Verity Integrated Systems is a Science and Technology (S&T) focused company that specializes in providing advanced systems design engin... more
  • 12 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!