Technician A (Electronics)

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, it is critical to maintain awareness of objects around the Earth to ensure the safe and effective operation of U.S. satellites. The Advanced Sensors and Techniques Group prototypes, develops and tests some of the world’s most advanced electro-optical and radio frequency (RF) space surveillance sensors. We have access to space surveillance sensors at our main campus in Lexington, MA, and at the Lincoln Space Surveillance Complex in Westford, MA, the Experimental Test Site in Socorro, NM, and the Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

Our team explores novel concepts, develops them into prototypes, and turns those prototypes into impactful operational capabilities. Recent examples include:

• Automated high-resolution radar image processing algorithm development
• Novel artificial intelligence-based target characterization algorithm development
• Advanced radar signal processing algorithm development
• Implementation of transmitter and receiver upgrades for the world’s most sensitive radars
• Integration and operation of a state-of-the-art telescope for space domain awareness
• Demonstration of high-precision multi-sensor data fusion
• Design and demonstration of long-baseline multistatic radars

Job Description

The Advanced Sensors and Techniques Group is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Electronics Technician to join our team in supporting day-to-day operations & maintenance, as well as future upgrade efforts, for these unique radar systems.

What You'll Do

• Operations & Maintenance: Support daily radar operations and maintenance, including transmitter start-ups, RF electronics and subsystem troubleshooting, and real-time system monitoring.
• Upgrade & Modernization Projects: Collaborate with engineers and technicians on upgrade and modernization efforts through chassis fabrication and troubleshooting, component and circuit-level soldering, and cable assembly.
• Testing & Characterization: Perform testing under engineering direction, including RF component and circuit-level characterization, RF chassis qualification, and high-power RF testing.
• Technical Site Support: Provide technical support for site activities such as new projects, experiments, troubleshooting, and repairs.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of maintenance actions, test results, and equipment configurations.
• Safety & Quality: Follow established safety and quality control procedures in all work.

About the Role

This is a hands-on technical position ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about working with advanced radar and RF systems. You'll play a critical role in keeping these one-of-a-kind systems running at peak performance while contributing to the development of next-generation capabilities.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Graduation from a two-year day technical school or its equivalent and a minimum of two years of applicable experience are required, or equivalent technical training in electronics.
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a tower climbing physical test and be able to work at heights.
• Soldering & Assembly: Proficiency in connector and cable assembly, and in soldering wires, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and surface mount technology (SMT).
• Test Equipment: Knowledge of electronic test tools such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.
• Tools: Experience with Allen and socket wrenches, screwdrivers, hand drills, impact hammers, etc.
• Technical Documentation: Ability to read and interpret schematics, interface control documents (ICDs), and bills-of-materials (BOMs).
• Software: Basic skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).
• Soft Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with a desire to work collaboratively as part of a larger team.
• Work Ethic: Excellent hands-on skills, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Availability: Willingness to work occasional off-hours (transmitter operations, emergency repairs, antenna operation) and provide infrequent on-call support for operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree in electronics technology or a related field.
• Certifications: Formal soldering certification or equivalent advanced training.
• Safety: Basic understanding of electrostatic discharge (ESD) safety.
• Connectors: Familiarity with connector types commonly used in radar or communication systems, including SMA, BNC, N-Type, TNC, and MIL-Spec circular connectors.
• RF Systems: General knowledge of RF microwave systems, RF components, and RF-over-fiber technologies.
• Cryogenics: Exposure to cryogenic systems and microwave testing using liquid nitrogen.
• Advanced RF Test Equipment: Experience using noise figure analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power meters, or vector network analyzers.

This position requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War (DoW) Secret clearance. An active clearance is strongly preferred.

Hiring Range: $38.53 - $42.92

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 benefit

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: 43469