Technical Staff - Remote Sensing Scientist

Technical Staff - Remote Sensing Scientist

Date: Feb 20, 2026

Location: Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Applied Space Systems Group develops environmental monitoring electro‑optical and microwave sensor systems for remote sensing applications. The group supports partners in U.S. Government organizations as well as industry. Activities include development of electro‑optical and microwave sensors, system and architecture analysis, signal processing, data analysis and algorithm development. The group seeks physicists, astronomers, applied mathematicians, electrical engineers, computer engineers, and those with related experience who have an interest in developing cutting‑edge space remote sensing technologies for future missions.

Group 97, The Applied Space Systems Group, seeks a remote sensing scientist to join our team, focused on supporting the application of advanced electro‑optical sensor systems. The successful candidate will be part of a team with imaging and data scientists as well as hardware and software engineers to prototype, operate and analyze the performance of highly integrated sensor systems for terrestrial and space applications.

• Ph.D. in Physics, Optical or Aerospace Engineering or related field. In lieu of a Ph.D., an M.S. with 5 or more years of related experience is acceptable.
• Significant professional or academic experience in at least two of the following areas, and some familiarity and career interest in several others:
  • Satellite remote sensing
  • Radiative transfer modeling
  • Optical sensor characterization, data calibration, error budgets, uncertainty modeling
  • Algorithm development, machine learning & deep learning for remote sensing, simulation, Monte Carlo uncertainty, validation vs ground truth, Bayesian estimation, error budget analysis
  • Space systems: vehicle design, space environment design and analysis
  • Test design, procedure development, and execution
  • Hardware assembly: clean room and ESD / test environment experience
  • Automated analysis and reporting: tools, custom analysis applications with user interfaces
• Demonstrable ability to:
  • Develop respectful, productive working relationships
  • Communicate clearly, precisely, and concisely to technical and non‑technical audiences
  • Solve broad and/or complex technical or engineering problems
  • Learn and apply advanced technical knowledge quickly and proficiently
• Analytical and/or scientific programming proficiency (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar), including high‑performance computing workflow development.
• Active Secret Security Clearance highly desired.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200–$170,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200–$220,000

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.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• MIT‑funded pension
• Matching 401(k)
• 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.