Position Description

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a talented model and simulation researcher to join our dynamic team. As a member of the Airborne Radar Systems and Techniques group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, you will work on world-class sensor systems as part of a team with a variety of technical backgrounds. We model and analyze the performance of new technologies, prototype radio frequency and complimentary sensors, design and execute data collections, and develop algorithms to detect, track, and image challenging targets within complex environments. Our models and algorithms benefit from access to a one-of-a-kind interactive supercomputer. Our prototypes and data collections are enabled by highly adaptable test infrastructure including two airborne radar testbeds—including a turboprop aircraft equipped with an advanced radar, visible and infrared imaging system, communications systems, and real-time data processors—and modern jammers.

Early career candidates and recent graduates are strongly encouraged to apply, and if selected, will work alongside experienced group members to learn about our mission areas and identify career growth paths. We are particularly interested in candidates with a relentless curiosity and strong technical foundation in Electrical or Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field with experience developing and analyzing physics-based models or simulations and communicating technical results to a variety of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop physics-based models of radio frequency systems interacting with the environment
• Collaborate with experienced staff to estimate system performance, assess the impact of design changes, and compare modeled performance with observational data
• Curate real-world and simulated data sets to test the performance of new algorithms
• Establish quantitative performance metrics from qualitative performance goals
• Create and adapt visual representations of modeling results that convey the outcomes for a variety of audiences
• Prepare technical documentation, including test plans, reports, and technical presentations

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field. In lieu of a Master’s, a Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of relevant work experience will be considered
• Experience in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C/C++
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team
• Strong communication skills, including ability to convey research goals, processes, accomplishments, and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to support field tests, data collection campaigns, and system demonstrations with occasional travel

Our team has a wide variety of professional experiences and educational backgrounds that enable us to find creative solutions to challenging real-world problems. We value university research experience, Master’s thesis work, journal or conference submissions, and capstone or senior design projects. Applicants are not expected to have experience in all the following areas, however, a deep understanding of some and the desire and ability to learn others is expected.

• Physical science courses including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, waves and optics, and mathematical methods for scientists
• Mathematics courses including calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, probability, and statistics
• Engineering courses including analog circuits, digital signal processing, numerical methods and algorithms, communications systems, remote sensing, and robotics