What are the responsibilities and job description for the Platform Engineer (Cyber System Assessments) MD position at MIT Lincoln Laboratory?
The Cyber System Assessments Group performs software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research and discovery, and system exploitation. We develop and prototype cutting-edge capabilities for our operational partners in the U.S. Government. Our work focuses on identifying and demonstrating cyber vulnerabilities so they can be mitigated in U.S. systems and better understood in adversarial systems. U.S. Government leadership relies on our technical expertise, and our role is essential to the success of critical national security missions.
Job Description
As a Platform Engineer, you will architect, build, and maintain the software and hardware platforms used by MIT Lincoln Laboratory cyber researchers and U.S. Government sponsors. You will play a key role in integrating modern DevSecOps practices and cloud-native technologies into mission environments that demand security, scalability, and reliability.You will help evaluate and implement emerging technologies, guide platform architecture decisions, and develop solutions tailored to unique operational needs. This role requires close collaboration with researchers and sponsors, as well as the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences through documentation, presentations, and training.
Requirements
Basic Requirements
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:
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: 42866
Job Description
As a Platform Engineer, you will architect, build, and maintain the software and hardware platforms used by MIT Lincoln Laboratory cyber researchers and U.S. Government sponsors. You will play a key role in integrating modern DevSecOps practices and cloud-native technologies into mission environments that demand security, scalability, and reliability.You will help evaluate and implement emerging technologies, guide platform architecture decisions, and develop solutions tailored to unique operational needs. This role requires close collaboration with researchers and sponsors, as well as the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences through documentation, presentations, and training.
Requirements
Basic Requirements
- BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Security, or a related field, with 6 years of relevant experience or MS with 3 years of relevant experience
- Experience designing, building, or maintaining complex software platforms or infrastructure systems
- Strong experience with DevSecOps and cloud-native ecosystems
- Version control systems (Git, GitLab)
- Programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python, Go, C/C )
- Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Claude, GitHub Copilot, Cursor) to improve software development productivity and code quality
- Microservices and modern application architectures (e.g., 12-factor applications)
- Containerization and orchestration (Docker, containerd, podman, Kubernetes)
- Strong network security and container networking expertise (e.g., network namespaces, Cilium, Multus, tunnels, bridging)
- Kubernetes distributions (e.g., k3s, RKE2, Talos, TKG)
- Infrastructure as Code and platform management (Terraform, Pulumi, Crossplane, Cluster API)
- Continuous integration and delivery (GitLab CI, Tekton, Argo Workflows)
- Secure software supply chain tools and practices (e.g., sigstore, trivy)
- GitOps workflows (Flux CD, Argo CD)
- Service mesh technologies (Istio, Linkerd)
- Ingress and API gateway solutions (Traefik, Istio Ingress Gateway, Kong)
- Relevant certifications such as Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) or Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
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!
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: 42866
Salary : $112,600 - $151,900