New

Associate Staff 3/4 - Orbital Dynamics

MIT Lincoln Laboratory
tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, Massachusetts, Lexington
244 Wood Street (Show on map)
Nov 13, 2026
Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: JOIN OUR TALENT NETWORK Associate Staff 3/4 - Orbital Dynamics Apply now Date: Nov 12, 2026 Location: Lexington, MA, US Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory The Advanced Electro-Optical Systems Group (Group 99) designs and prototypes innovative electro-optical systems for the Department of Defense, NASA, and other U.S. government organizations. Our expertise spans satellite systems, electro-optical and infrared sensors, electronics, image processing, and low-SWaP optical communications. By integrating hardware and software development, we architect, prototype, and deploy end-to-end systems tailored to mission needs. We work directly with end users to transform promising concepts into operational capabilities on accelerated timelines. Recent examples of our work include a space-based telescope for satellite tracking, a laser communications payload and associated ground terminal for geosynchronous orbit, and a satellite telescope payload for high-resolution imaging of other satellites in low Earth orbit. Job Overview This role combines deep orbital analysis with end-to-end space-system development. Your work will shape mission concepts, system-level trades, and operational decisions across the full system lifecycle. You will collaborate with specialists in embedded software and firmware, estimation and controls, optics and optomechanics, and electro-optical sensors. Your initial responsibilities include: Develop and validate models for orbital mechanics, trajectory propagation, perturbation analysis, orbit determination, and estimation using real and simulated data. Design missions, plan maneuvers, and assess performance to inform system-level trades and decisions. Translate orbital dynamics analyses into requirements, interfaces, and actionable recommendations for multidisciplinary teams. Build, maintain, and improve analysis tools and simulation frameworks used across design, test, and operations. Own analyses from problem formulation through validation, and communicate assumptions, methods, results, and system-level implications clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. During your first year, you will take increasing ownership of orbital analyses, contribute directly to system-level decisions, and extend the group's established orbital simulation capabilities. Lincoln Laboratory expects and supports technical growth throughout your career. As program needs evolve, you will develop expertise in new technical areas through collaboration with colleagues, technical research, and, when appropriate, formal education. As your expertise grows, you will have opportunities to influence the group's technical direction. This is a full-time, on-site position in Lexington, MA, enabling close collaboration across disciplines and access to specialized facilities and secure technical environments. Minimum Qualifications Candidates will be considered for the appropriate level based on their education, experience, demonstrated technical capabilities, leadership responsibilities, and the scope and complexity of their prior work. Level 3 - Associate Staff Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 2+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and typically 0+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Solid technical depth in a primary engineering, research, or other technical domain, with the ability to apply knowledge independently. Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and manage components of project work. Experience contributing to technical documentation, analyses, reports, presentations, or project deliverables. Ability to collaborate across project teams and communicate technical information clearly to appropriate audiences. Emerging ability to guide less experienced colleagues and contribute to team capability development. Level 4 - Associate Staff Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and typically 2+ years of relevant experience; a PhD may be considered; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong technical depth in a primary domain with emerging breadth across related engineering, research, technical disciplines, or mission areas. Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and lead components of projects or technical workstreams. Experience managing milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables for assigned project areas. Ability to communicate complex information to varied audiences and collaborate with project teams, sponsors, and internal partners. Demonstrated ability to mentor others, review work, and contribute to team technical capability. Additional Minimum Qualifications A strong foundation in orbital mechanics and astrodynamics, demonstrated through coursework, research, or professional experience. Experience developing scientific or engineering software in one or more of the following: Python, Rust, C/C++, or MATLAB. Associate Staff 3 Hiring Range: $114,000-$148,000 Associate Staff 4 Hiring Range: $124,000-$164,000 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 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 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:43656 Nearest Major Market: Boston Job Segment: DoD, Defense, Embedded, Laboratory, Testing, Government, Technology, Science Apply now Find similar jobs: Space Systems and Technology, Engineering