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AI/ML Research Scientist

MIT Lincoln Laboratory
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Lexington, MA, USA
Sep 20, 2026

Are you excited to contribute to world-class research in artificial intelligence with real impact on national security? The Artificial Intelligence Technology and Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory has over 50 years of experience developing revolutionary technologies for critical national missions.

Group 52 AI Technology & Systems specializes in machine learning (ML) algorithms, technologies, and systems that extract and analyze information from multimedia data-including speech, text, images, and video. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our mission to include developing impactful ML solutions for cybersecurity in collaboration with the Nation’s top cyber organizations.

As a recognized leader in both basic and applied AI/ML, our group is shaping emerging AI fields and driving the Laboratory’s efforts in AI Assurance across the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. We also integrate expertise in multimedia, cyber, and AI assurance to develop cutting-edge technologies for Operations in the Information Environment (OIE).

A hallmark of our work is a focus on operational relevance: we design and evaluate AI/ML systems using realistic datasets and metrics, and we partner directly with intelligence analysts and cyber operators to ensure rapid transition of our technologies into real-world, mission-critical systems.

Job Description

Our staff members:

  • Design, program, and architect advanced ML methods.
  • Develop algorithms in speech, natural language processing, multimedia, cyber, and graph analytics.
  • Publish and present research at premier conferences.
  • Internship Opportunities

The AI Technology and Systems Group is seeking motivated applicants that can contribute to projects addressing a wide range of national needs in AI and ML. Assignments may include:

  • Research on state-of-the-art algorithms in signal processing, natural language processing, graph analytics, or adversarial AI.
  • Applying innovative methods to challenging, real-world problems.
  • Working in a collaborative, team-oriented development environment.

This is an opportunity to apply your skills to some of the most important technical challenges of our time-while learning from and contributing to a world-class research community. 

Qualifications

Candidates who possess an M.S. in electrical engineering, computer science or other relevant discipline or a BS and 3 years of relevant experience will be considered.

Desired Skills:

  • Knowledge of artificial intelligence ideally with applications on multimedia, cyber security or adversarial machine learning / AI security experience.
  • Advanced AI/ML knowledge - solid graduate-level coursework or equivalent work experience in machine-learning theory, deep learning, NLP, computer-vision, graph analytics, or adversarial/AI-assurance techniques. Ability to read, evaluate, and implement state-of-the-art research papers.
  • Proficient Python programming - comfortable writing clean, modular, and testable code; expert-level use of deep-learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.), data-science stacks (NumPy, pandas, SciPy, etc.), and hands-on experience with agentic/LLM-oriented toolkits (e.g., MCP).
  • Operating in a rapid research-to-prototype pipeline - demonstrated ability to take a cutting-edge research concept, design an experimental plan, implement a functional prototype, and iterate based on quantitative evaluation. Experience with benchmark datasets and realistic metrics (e.g. latency, accuracy, robustness) is a plus.
  • Software-engineering best practices - strong Git workflow (branching, pull-requests, code reviews), continuous-integration testing, environment reproducibility (e.g., conda, virtualenv). Ability to document code, write reproducible experiment notebooks, and maintain versioned releases.
  • Problem-solving & analytical mindset - can decompose novel, ill-defined problems, propose multiple solution paths, and select the most promising approach based on empirical evidence.
  • Detail-oriented, able to multi-task, with the ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
  • Effective written and oral communication skills in technical environments, technical reports, internal wiki pages; delivers clear demo presentations and briefings to both technical audience and senior mission stakeholders.
  • Current TS/SCI clearance or willingness to obtain one.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $116,400 - $140,000
Experienced Hiring Range: $116,400 - $182,200



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: 42941 


Nearest Major Market: Boston
Job Segment: Security Clearance, Top Secret Clearance, TS / SCI, Research Scientist, Military Intelligence, Government, Science

Job ID

1386366400

Security Clearance

SECRET
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