Systems Analyst - Assistant Staff

Group 22-Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (C-WMD) Systems Group. The C-WMD Systems Group develops advanced systems and cutting-edge technologies to address Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats. Our work spans preparedness, detection, mitigation, medical response, remediation, and attribution, with principal sponsorship from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of War. The group operates in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, drawing on expertise from diverse fields such as engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and biology.

Job Overview

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Assistant Staff provide critical support for domain-level 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. As an Assistant Staff member, you will work with multidisciplinary project teams assisting with solutions to complex to moderately complex problems through research and technology development activities. In this highly contributory role, you will develop and grow your understanding of the Laboratory and the work we do for our research sponsors and on behalf of the nation while taking on defined research and technical assignments. Depending on the level, you will complete clearly scoped assignments with guidance or apply established methods with limited oversight while taking greater ownership of defined technical work.

As a successful candidate, you will bring a strong technical foundation, curiosity, and an aptitude for technical growth. You will develop or deepen expertise within a primary technical domain, broaden your awareness of adjacent areas, and support activities such as hardware and software development, systems analysis, data analysis, component fabrication, system integration, testing, and documentation.

Group 22 Job Overview Details

We are seeking an Assistant Staff member who is a fast and adaptable learner with a strong interest in tackling complex, multidisciplinary problem sets. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment and contribute to systems analysis efforts across a broad range of technology areas critical to countering WMD threats. Key responsibilities may include:

• Rapidly assessing, developing, and testing sensors and sensing architectures for WMD threat detection.
• Exploring artificial intelligence, data analytics, sensor fusion, and autonomous systems for C-WMD applications.
• Evaluating technologies and architectures to enhance situational awareness in operational contexts.
• Forecasting and evaluating threat behavior using computational and experimental approaches.
• Developing models and simulations that integrate operational constraints, requirements, and concepts of operation.
• Designing, prototyping, and field-testing homeland protection systems.

This role requires intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for solving challenging technical problems. Activities include data analysis, mathematical / statistical modeling, algorithm development, and studying the interaction of sensing and autonomous systems with CBRNE threats in mission scenarios. Research often involves collaboration with stakeholders, first responders, and operational testing in both laboratory and field environments. If you are eager to apply your skills to critical national security challenges and thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary setting, we encourage you to apply.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Support design, development, data analysis, programming, testing, troubleshooting, modeling, simulation, and documentation of systems or prototypes.
• Apply basic or established technical practices, tools, and procedures to complete defined tasks and solve routine technical problems.
• Contribute to data collection, documentation, and component- or subsystem-level deliverables supporting broader research and mission-focused efforts.
• Learn and apply relevant mission context, technical standards, systems, platforms, and project processes.
• Communicate progress, technical results, assumptions, risks, and questions clearly and incorporate feedback into technical work products.
• Depending on level, identify small process improvements and assist new hires, interns, or less experienced staff.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Level 1 - Assistant Staff

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically, no technical experience or relevant research experience required.
• Foundational understanding of research principles, analytical methods, and structured problem solving.
• Ability to learn and apply technical tools, systems, standards, and procedures within a team environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document work clearly, ask clarifying questions, and interact respectfully with colleagues, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated collaboration, curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to receive and apply feedback.

Level 2 - Assistant Staff

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically, 1+ years of relevant research, engineering, or other technical experience; a Master's degree may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to apply concepts and technical methods to routine problems.
• Working knowledge of relevant tools, systems, standards, and documentation practices used in project execution.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks accurately, manage time effectively, and communicate progress and risks.
• Collaborative working style with an emerging ability to support others, contribute to team learning, and interact respectfully with colleagues, sponsors, and other stakeholders.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. Related to Physics, Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Optics, or related scientific field.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to apply systems-level thinking to holistic chemical and biodefense solutions.

Assistant Staff 1 Hiring Range: $92,000 - $115,000

Assistant Staff 2 Hiring Range: $100,000 - $128,000

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!

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

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: 43640