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Associate Staff - Test and Experimentation Planning Lead

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

tuition reimbursement, 401(k)

United States, Massachusetts, Lexington

244 Wood Street (Show on map)

Mar 20, 2026

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Associate Staff - Test and Experimentation Planning Lead

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Date: Mar 19, 2026

Location:
Lexington, MA, US

Company:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Information Integration and Decision Support Group (Group 93)
The nation's satellites perform important civil, scientific, and national defense functions such as navigation, communications, weather forecasting, astronomical observations, and surveillance. As space becomes increasingly congested and contested, maintaining awareness of all man-made objects around the Earth is critical for ensuring the safe and effective operation of U.S. satellites. Our researchers are collecting data from a global network of ground-based and space-based sensors to help both military and civil organizations track objects in space, monitor potential threats, and protect critical national assets. We leverage advanced data processing capabilities that rapidly ingest observations from the Space Surveillance Network and integrate that data to generate an accurate picture of the space environment around the Earth and to make predictions about evolving activity in space. We work closely with organizations such as the United States Space Force in order to maintain situational awareness in the space domain and to respond to rapidly changing events in space.

Job Description

Group 93 is seeking an experienced Associate Staff member to serve the Testand Exercise planning lead for our support to STARCOM and CFC.

Group 93 is working to solve challenging technical problems for some of thenation's newest and most dynamic military organizations: US Space Force andUS Space Command. The group's overarching goal is to ensure that the US hasthe most accurate and comprehensive picture of the space domain and athorough understanding of the capabilities and limitations of US spacewarfighting capabilities.

Group 93 contributes to this by working with a variety of operations,experimentation and test organizations to assess and improve thesurvivability and effectiveness of US space systems and cross-domainarchitectures. The Exercise & Test Planning Lead will work directly withvarious Operations and Test & Evaluation Squadrons to scope, define, andexecute exercise & test activity critical to our nation's development ofSpace Control capabilities.

Major Responsibilities

Technical expertise

Knowledge of Space Domain Awareness sensors and capabilities
Knowledge of tactics and techniques to use sensors to generate informationrequired to close kill chains
Knowledge of orbital dynamics and space flight basics to compute observablesfor a particular space activity given a sensor laydown
Ability to describe technical details of a test or an exercise to technicaland non-technical audience

Project management

Lead the planning and execution of test or tactics development events
Help define assessment criteria for events or exercises
Coordinate activities of a team with externals, technical staff and sensoroperators
Build strong relationships with sponsors and users through frequentinteractions, briefings and reporting

Requirements

MS degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or related field of study
- A BS degree with 3+ years of additional related experience will be considered.
Technical excellence in an applicable field, as evidenced by writtenpublications, technology and program development, and broad notoriety in aGroup mission area.
Experience with several of the following: space surveillance sensors anddata processing, classified US space activities, foreign threats to US spacesystems, test planning and execution
Strong test coordination / test execution skills and ability to producehigh-quality, impactful, polished briefings
Experience interacting with Government sponsors
Must possess a current in scope Top Secret level DoD security clearance with compartmented program eligibility

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 pagefor more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage ofother voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must possess a current in scope Top Secret level DoD security clearance with compartmented program eligibility.

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:42832

Nearest Major Market: Boston

Job Segment:
Security Clearance, R&D Engineer, Computer Science, Laboratory, DoD, Government, Engineering, Technology, Science

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