"Alerted.org

The Homeland Decision Support Systems Group focuses on end-to-end system architectures design, decision support, and advanced analytics to enhance the protection of the homeland and U.S. interests overseas. In collaboration with industry and academia, we are working at the frontiers of AI to develop and integrate advanced decision support prototypes that can address national security needs in the land, sea, air, and space domains. We have deployed real-time enterprise and edge solutions that support the warfighters at multiple Combatant Commands across the globe, providing a measurable impact to their missions.

Position Description

The Homeland Decision Support Systems Group combines expertise in deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, graph theory, big data architectures, operations research, and system autonomy. The group’s mission is to enhance national security by leading the nation in developing and deploying advanced decision support systems that leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies.

The group is seeking motivated graduate students and experienced undergraduates to assist with projects addressing homeland security challenges through software engineering, algorithm development, and/or machine learning.

Summer student assignments may include research on state-of-the-art algorithms in computer vision, reinforcement learning, and/or representation learning applied to challenging, real-world datasets. The candidate will work in a team-oriented development environment. Learn more about what our team does here: Artificial Intelligence Software Architectures and Algorithms (https://www.ll.mit.edu/r-d/homeland-protection/artificial-intelligence-software-architectures-and-algorithms)

Qualifications

The summer internship program is open to candidates with varying educational levels, including those in the process of earning a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in a technical field such as Physics, Mathematics, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

Required Experience

Candidates should have experience in the following:

+ Proficiency in one or more scripting languages (e.g., Bash, JavaScript, Lua, Perl, Python)

+ Familiarity with software engineering concepts, including version control (e.g., Git) and unit testing

Desired Technical Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desired:

+ Parsing or decoding binary message formats

+ Using Wireshark and/or writing Wireshark dissectors

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.

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.

Requisition ID: [[id]]