Group 10-08 | SRP Intern | Tactical Defense Systems | Summer 2026

 

The Tactical Defense Systems Group works to understand air defense issues, in particular, air vehicle survivability, vulnerability of U.S. Air Force (USAF) aircraft to weapons systems, electronic countermeasures, and air surveillance for homeland defense. The group focuses on understanding USAF and threat air defense systems through tests and measurements. Test activities include flight, field, and laboratory testing. The group operates two airplanes, all highly instrumented, and numerous ground systems as needed for test efforts. The group also develops new hardware for testing and prototype systems as well as for instrumenting existing sensors. There are a few major field-testing campaigns each year. Local testing is used to validate flight readiness. Data collected from testing are analyzed and compared with models in concert with Group 109, Systems and Analysis. The group's activities continue to evolve in parallel with USAF efforts, but the emphasis remains on providing answers to questions from our Air Force sponsors by conducting field measurements using state-of-the-art instrumentation and then analyzing the resulting data.

 

Position Description

The group seeks a summer intern to assist our engineering staff with advanced concept demonstrations in the areas of data analysis, algorithm development, software development, and digital signal processing. At the conclusion of these demonstrations, the successful intern will have the opportunity to document and present their results to the group.

The successful candidate will be pursuing a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or a related field with hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: software development, graphical user interface development, real time software, MATLAB or C++ programming, FPGA programming, digital design, digital signal processing, image processing, data analysis or artificial intelligence / machine learning.

Summer Research Program Overview

The Summer Research Program offers students the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national security challenges while working alongside leading scientists and engineers. As an SRP intern, you’ll engage in hands-on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and take part in professional development opportunities including workshops, tech talks, and networking events—all while building connections within a vibrant community of peers.

• Internships are typically 10–12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, typically May through early August.
• Housing support is available for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment.
• Complimentary daily shuttle transportation is provided from Boston-based housing to and from the Lab.

Compensation

Hourly pay rates below are effective January 2025 – December 2025 and will be reviewed again for Summer 2026.

• Freshman (BS expected May/June 2029): $24.50/hour
• Sophomore (BS expected May/June 2028): $26.00/hour
• Junior (BS expected May/June 2027): $28.00/hour
• Senior (5-year BS program, completed 4 years by May/June 2026): $31.00/hour
• Bachelor’s degree completed in 2026: $34.50/hour
• BS + 1 (BS completed May/June 2025, 1st year of MS in 2025–26): $36.00/hour
• BS + 2 (BS completed May/June 2024, 2nd year of MS in 2025–26, degree not yet conferred): $37.50/hour
• MS (Master’s degree expected May/June 2026): $38.00/hour
• MS + 1 (MS completed May/June 2025, 1st year of PhD in 2025–26): $40.50/hour
• MS + 2 (MS completed May/June 2024, 2nd year of PhD in 2025–26): $42.00/hour
• MS + 3 (MS completed May/June 2023, 3rd year of PhD in 2025–26): $43.00/hour

 

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:  42365