Electro-Optical Phenomenology, Sensors, and Analysis

The Interceptor and Sensor Technology Group supports the development of advanced technologies and systems for application to sensors and interceptor missiles for use in future surveillance, missile defense and air defense systems. The Group is currently supporting programs in the development of air and space-based visible and infrared sensors and novel tracking algorithms as well as advanced control, guidance, and interceptor technologies for missile defense. The group is also developing and evaluating seeker and missile system technology. These programs cover a range of activities including prototyping of advanced electro-optical sensors and algorithms, laboratory testing and phenomenology, mission simulations and modeling, field and flight tests, and data analysis and exploitation.

Job Description

The Interceptor and Sensor Technology Group seeks candidates to work with our dynamic and innovative teams on creative and novel space, airborne, hypersonic, rocket, control, and optical technology projects. The candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing capabilities to support advanced sensor, hypersonic, or space vehicle design and analysis projects. Project opportunities will vary and may include: advanced algorithm development, phenomenology modeling and exploitation, modeling of sensor performance, guidance algorithms, real-time algorithm and signal processing, and experimentation with optical systems.

Candidates with experience in optical phenomenology, infrared phenomenology, algorithm development, signal processing or systems analysis. Candidate will work with a team of subject matter experts to develop new algorithms, develop performance analysis, and systems analysis. A knowledge of infrared physics is desired, experience in algorithm development and artificial intelligence is a plus.

Project Examples:

• Analysis
  • Analyze performance and feasibility of new sensor technology and algorithms for possible future interceptors of sensor networks
  • Analyze performance of existing architectures to evolving threats and work with real world data from flight tests
  • Perform space sensor concept orbit analysis or earth imaging sensor analysis
• Hardware/Field Testing
  • Develop and test new technology prototypes in laboratory, ground, and airborne tests including stratospheric balloon and future small satellite concepts
  • Work with one of our sensor systems in our laboratory spaces to characterize capability
• Algorithm Development
  • Work with simulated and/or real data and applying novel algorithms to various potential missions
  • Develop and demonstrate new algorithms on deployed and experimental systems and data

Requirements

Candidates should have a PhD, or a MS and five to seven years of experience in Physics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aero/Astro Engineering or similar. Experience with infrared technology, phenomenology, algorithms, and testing is desired.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200 - $170,000
Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200 - $220,000

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: 43161