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The nation’s satellites perform important civil, scientific, and national defense functions such as navigation, communications, weather forecasting, astronomical observations, and surveillance. As space becomes increasingly congested and contested, maintaining awareness of all man-made objects around the Earth is critical for ensuring the safe and effective operation of U.S. satellites. The Advanced Sensors and Techniques Group develops and operates electro-optical (EO) and radio frequency (RF) sensors and resilient space systems critical to maintaining this awareness of the space domain. We develop and operate some of the world’s most exquisite optical and radar systems from our main campus in Lexington, MA, with additional opportunities at locations including the Lincoln Space Surveillance Complex (LSSC) in Westford, MA, the Experimental Test Site in Socorro, NM, and the U. S. Army Reagan Test Site at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Our team explores novel concepts, develops them into prototypes, and turns those prototypes into impactful operational capabilities. Recent examples include transmitter and receiver upgrades on the world’s most sensitive radars, integration and operation of a state-of-the-art space telescope, development of advanced signal processing techniques, development of fully automated high-resolution image processing capabilities, demonstration of high-precision multi-sensor data fusion, and design and demonstration of long-baseline coherent receive apertures.

Position Description

The Advanced Sensors and Techniques Group is seeking a summer Intern to help design and build the next generation of space surveillance sensors and architectures. Activities may include scientific programming, data analysis, hardware development, fabrication, testing, and documentation.

Requirements

The successful candidate must be actively enrolled in a PhD, MS or BS degree program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Aeronautics/Astronautics Engineering or other relevant technical field. Applicants must have familiarity with C/C++, MATLAB, Python, or other scientific programming languages and skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: signal processing, aerospace applications, remote sensing applications, hardware fabrication, or electronics integration and test.

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://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/student-opportunities/summer-research-program

Compensation

Hourly pay rates below are effective January 2025 – December 2025 and will be reviewed again for Summer 2026.

+ Freshman (BS expected May/June 2029): $24.50/hour

+ Sophomore (BS expected May/June 2028): $26.00/hour

+ Junior (BS expected May/June 2027): $28.00/hour

+ Senior (5-year BS program, completed 4 years by May/June 2026): $31.00/hour

+ Bachelor’s degree completed in 2026: $34.50/hour

+ BS + 1 (BS completed May/June 2025, 1st year of MS in 2025–26): $36.00/hour

+ BS + 2 (BS completed May/June 2024, 2nd year of MS in 2025–26, degree not yet conferred): $37.50/hour

+ MS (Master’s degree expected May/June 2026): $38.00/hour

+ MS + 1 (MS completed May/June 2025, 1st year of PhD in 2025–26): $40.50/hour

+ MS + 2 (MS completed May/June 2024, 2nd year of PhD in 2025–26): $42.00/hour

+ MS + 3 (MS completed May/June 2023, 3rd year of PhD in 2025–26): $43.00/hour

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.

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