Staff Scientist - AI / ML Developer

Are you excited to contribute to world-class research in Homeland Protection with real impact on national security? The Homeland Protection Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory has decades of experience developing, assessing, and deploying advanced technologies aimed at safeguarding the National Airspace and addressing emerging national security priorities in the homeland. The Group has successfully deployed innovative technology solutions addressing defense challenges for the National Airspace, population centers, and critical infrastructure. We specialize in comprehensive systems analysis, advanced technology development, and rapid prototyping. Leveraging our expertise in complex systems, algorithms, and hardware prototyping, our team of scientists, engineers, and technologists applies cutting-edge techniques in data analysis, predictive analytics, and systems engineering to solve complex Homeland Protection problems.

Our mission is to deliver and deploy advanced technologies that strengthen national security in the homeland. We foster a collaborative, cross-functional research and development environment where innovation thrives. This role provides the opportunity to tackle some of the nation's most important technical homeland defense challenges, while learning from and contributing to a world-class research community.

The Homeland Protection Systems Group is seeking motivated applicants to contribute to projects addressing a wide range of homeland protection and national security challenges through the application of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) technologies, including the need to:

• Prototype and apply state-of-the-art algorithms in time series analysis, natural language processing, graph analytics, multi-modal learning, and other applicable ML domains
• Architect, integrate, and build AI/ML systems to meet specific stakeholder needs, including supporting communication and compute infrastructure
• Assess and advise stakeholders on proposed AI/ML solutions, advancements in the field of AI/ML research, and emerging trends in the AI/ML community

Required

• Expertise in AI/ML system development and integration
• Expertise in one or more AI/ML domains/specializations
• Code development using Python, Git, and software management best practices
• Familiarity with backend development (server-side logic, database management, APIs, etc.)
• Ability to work both independently as an individual contributor and collaboratively with a team

Preferred

• Translation of research concepts into working prototypes, including design, implementation, evaluation, and iterative refinement
• Critical thinking, such as the ability to decompose complex, ill-defined problems, define and evaluate approaches, and provide reasoned evidence for the proposed solution(s)
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document work products, prepare technical reports, and present results to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Current TS/SCI clearance or willingness to obtain one

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Level 5 Technical Staff provide critical multi-domain or new domain innovative research to the Laboratory's national security mission. They prototype solutions for state-of-the art technology and engage across the program lifecycle, leading projects or major technical workstreams in partnership with project and team leaders. As a successful Level 5 Technical Staff candidate, you will lead projects or major technical workstreams requiring deep expertise and sound judgment, with the ability to successfully navigate technical complexity. You will perform independent research to solve complex problems, manage programs and/or lead teams on extraordinary technology prototype efforts, and develop creative new ideas and approaches that support critical mission needs.

As a successful Level 5 Technical Staff, you will have deep technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through ambiguity. You will, with ease, effectively connect your technical depth with the Laboratory's broader program objectives. Working across multi-disciplinary teams and sponsor-driven efforts, you will efficiently help develop and execute programs, create briefings and reports, and often interface with sponsors. In this role, you are a technical leader, mentoring others, and continuously improving practices within an applicable Group or mission area. You will also guide and mentor Associate Technical Staff, Assistant Technical Staff, and other technical support personnel.

• Leads projects or major workstreams involving multi-disciplinary design, development, data analysis, programming, prototyping, integration, testing, or transition activities.
• Applies extensive technical expertise to solve significantly complex problems while effectively evaluating alternative approaches, trade-offs, risks, and mission-driven implications.
• Within assigned projects or mission areas, consistently influences the technical approach towards mission research, systems/ subsystems, architecture design and integration.
• Structures and manages execution of ambiguous work, concisely translating project objectives into actionable technical plans based on nuanced policies and procedures.
• Mentors others within the Group by consistently reviewing work and providing constructive feedback, offering technical guidance, and helping them to develop and hone their judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to improve tools, processes, methods, documentation, or execution practices within the Group.
• Substantively contributes to engineering or scientific papers, technical reports, presentations, and, where applicable, proposal or grant materials.

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field and typically 6+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and typically 4+ years of relevant experience; or PhD and typically 0+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Diverse technical expertise with demonstrated ability to adapt that expertise to unfamiliar or emerging disciplines, systems, mission areas, or methods.
• Established educational, skill, and experience levels that demonstrate an ability to apply significant technical judgment to solve broad technical challenges that require integration across related systems or methods.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects or major workstreams and deliver complex technical outcomes.
• Experience evaluating trade-offs, recommending paths forward, and adapting technical approaches to evolving project needs.
• Demonstrated mentorship, collaboration, and ability to communicate recommendations, risks, and technical findings to varied audiences.
• Experience contributing to technical reports, papers, presentations, proposals, or other formal technical deliverables.

Candidates who possess a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or other relevant discipline will be considered.