Secure Software, Embedded Systems Engineer (mid-career)

Secure Resilient Systems and Technology group applies foundational and applied cybersecurity research to the most critical challenges in national security. We develop secure systems that are resilient to adversarial threats—now and in the future. Our work spans the entire R&D spectrum: from system architecture and threat modeling, to cryptographic protocol design, secure implementation, field prototyping, and transition. Our mission is to ensure that national security systems can be trusted and relied on, even in adversary-contested environments.

We work closely with mission areas and divisions across Lincoln Laboratory, enabling breakthroughs in communications, sensing, autonomy, and space systems to retain their strategic edge in real-world deployments. Collaboration across disciplines is central to our impact. Our staff includes system security researchers, applied cryptographers, software engineers, formal methods experts, and embedded systems developers. We bring modern security approaches into complex, high-stakes environments where assurance, performance, and operational realities must coexist.

We are a collegial and mission-driven team. We value excellence, innovation, inclusion, and individual growth. Our culture is known for mentoring and developing PIs and technical leaders. We strive to bring out the best in our people—and our systems—so that the Laboratory, and the nation, can count on them when it matters most. 

If you would like to pursue your passion for cutting-edge research and work on things that truly matter at a place that combines problems of pressing national importance with MIT’s culture of academic excellence, abundance of resources, and superior work-life balance, apply here to learn more. 

Job Description

As an Associate Technical Staff member, you will:

• Contribute to the development, prototyping, and implementation of secure computing, storage, and communication technologies.
• Engage in a range of research and engineering activities, from software design and system integration to testing and evaluation.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers across disciplines to solve technical challenges relevant to National Security.
• Support the transfer of technical solutions to real-world applications.

Required Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you should have:

• A Master’s degree in Computer Security, System Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
  • Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following:
  • Software design, development, and testing in Rust (preferred) and/or C/C++.
  • Systems integration, testing, and evaluation of secure systems.
  • Embedded systems analysis, design, and implementation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a team-oriented environment.

We value varied paths to expertise and encourage candidates with practical experience or alternative educational backgrounds to apply.

Desired Knowledge

We also value experience or interest in one or more of the following:

• System engineering, security requirements analysis, and threat modeling.
• Secure programming practices and software development lifecycle.
• Operating system internals, embedded systems security, and network protocols.
• Applied cryptography and protocols, including industry and government standards.
• Advanced cryptographic techniques such as multi-party computation and zero-knowledge protocols.
• Software static and dynamic analyses tools and techniques, as well as applied formal methods tools.
• Technical communication: Documenting designs, writing reports and research papers, and communicating technical concepts effectively.

We don't expect candidates to have knowledge in all of these areas, and welcome candidates eager to grow into these areas through hands-on experience and learning. 

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $116,400 - $140,000 

Experienced Hiring Range: $116,400 - $182,200 

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: 42278