Structural/Opto-Mechanical Engineer-Technical Staff
Date: Mar 2, 2026
Location: Lexington, MA, US
Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
The Structural & Thermal-Fluids Engineering Group develops first-of-a-kind prototype systems across underwater, ground, air, and space domains for high-impact national security missions. Engineers work on advanced structural and material systems for space-based imaging and laser communications, thermal management solutions from cryogenic to hypersonic regimes, and aerodynamic design and assessment for unmanned aerial vehicles, airborne pods, and hypersonic platforms. Solutions are realized through the integration of high-fidelity analytical and computational modeling, multidisciplinary simulation, environmental testing, and advanced materials, addressing demanding performance, size, weight, power, and environmental constraints that are at the forefront of current engineering capabilities.
The Group offers a collaborative, hands-on environment where engineers pair deep analytical expertise with direct ownership of hardware development, integration, and testing. Engineers are supported in their growth through mentorship and opportunities for increasing technical and programmatic leadership, participation in conferences and professional societies, and direct engagement with mission partners and government sponsors.
Position Description
Group 74 is seeking mechanical or aerospace engineers with structural and/or opto-mechanical engineering expertise that spans concept design, detailed analysis, integration support, and testing. As a Technical Staff, a successful candidate should be able to act as a principal investigator, program manager, and mentor, communicate effectively and interact respectfully with colleagues, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Technical Staff are also asked to perform technical work in support of their programs as part of interdisciplinary teams. Specific duties include structural, thermal and opto-mechanical analysis, spanning from fundamental hand calculations to detailed finite element analysis, experiment design, assembly and test procedure development and execution, and leading assembly and test activities. Staff support projects ranging in scope from rapid, high-risk efforts to conventional, longer-term, low-risk programs in a wide variety of mission domains (undersea, ground, air and space). Technical Staff are also asked to drive innovation by supporting or leading proposal development, and lead outreach efforts by building internal and external relationships and publishing work. Applicants with experience working with space systems and opto-mechanics are highly desired.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to drive execute on projects, build and maintain a strong team culture, lead the development of innovative ideas and develop relationships with internal and external partners. The position may require special security clearances and travel to meetings and field sites.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field; Exceptional candidates with a master’s degree and greater than five years of work experience are also encouraged to apply
- Experience with structural, opto-mechanical and thermal analysis methods and tools
- Experience with the development, prototyping, assembly and testing of space hardware; an emphasis on precision metrology for opto-mechanics and structures is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead an interdisciplinary team
- Ability to clearly communicate results in oral presentations and written reports
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: 42776
Nearest Major Market: Boston
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