RF Communications System Engineer/Analyst-Associate Staff

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Associate Staff provide critical multi-domain through expert multi-domain innovative research supporting the Laboratory's national security mission. They prototype state-of-the-art technology solutions and engage in many steps of a program lifecycle with increasing independence and responsibility. As an Associate Staff member, you will contribute independently to multidisciplinary efforts, contribute to sponsor briefings, write test plans and reports, and apply complex and creative solutions to solving technical problems. You may own discrete project/program components or lead complex workstreams and small teams.

The Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group is seeking creative and enthusiastic candidates to perform analysis and contribute to the prototyping of advanced RF communications systems. Example daily activities could include system analysis (e.g., link budgets, detection and jamming performance modeling) and/or elements of RF system design depending on the candidate's skillset (e.g., RF subsystem design and test, firmware/software development and test, system-level integration and test).

The Strategic and Long-Range Communications Group is seeking creative and enthusiastic candidates to perform analysis and contribute to the prototyping of advanced RF communications systems. Example daily activities could include system analysis (e.g., link budgets, detection and jamming performance modeling) and/or elements of RF system design depending on the candidate's skillset (e.g., RF subsystem design and test, firmware/software development and test, system-level integration and test).

• Own or lead design, development, data analysis, programming, modeling, simulation, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and technical evaluation activities within broader project or program efforts.
• Apply technical depth and judgment to less-defined and complex problems, identifying appropriate methods, adapting established approaches, and evaluating trade-offs.
• Contribute to or lead system-, subsystem-, or component-level work spanning multiple disciplines, mission needs, products, or technical focus areas.
• Develop, review, and integrate technical documentation, analyses, design materials, program reporting, presentations, papers, and other deliverables.
• Coordinate milestones, assumptions, dependencies, quality expectations, and risks and present findings, recommendations, and alternatives to appropriate audiences.
• Provide technical guidance, review, feedback, and mentorship while continuing to deepen mission-aligned expertise.

Candidates will be considered for the appropriate level based on their education, experience, demonstrated technical capabilities, leadership responsibilities, and the scope and complexity of their prior work.

Level 3 - Associate Staff

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 2+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and typically 0+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid technical depth in a primary engineering, research, or other technical domain, with the ability to apply knowledge independently.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and manage components of project work.
• Experience contributing to technical documentation, analyses, reports, presentations, or project deliverables.
• Ability to collaborate across project teams and communicate technical information clearly to appropriate audiences.
• Emerging ability to guide less experienced colleagues and contribute to team capability development.

Level 4 - Associate Staff

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and typically 2+ years of relevant experience; a PhD may be considered; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong technical depth in a primary domain with emerging breadth across related engineering, research, technical disciplines, or mission areas.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and lead components of projects or technical workstreams.
• Experience managing milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables for assigned project areas.
• Ability to communicate complex information to varied audiences and collaborate with project teams, sponsors, and internal partners.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor others, review work, and contribute to team technical capability.

• Experience with analyzing, developing, and testing elements of an RF system
  (e.g., RF subsystem design and test, firmware/software development and test, system-level integration and test)
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team and set priorities
• Strong problem-solving skills

• Expertise in communication theory and/or digital signal processing approaches as applied to adaptive RF systems
• Previous experience in developing or integrating prototype or experimental communications systems (software-defined radios, antennas, field measurements, etc.)