Reagan Test Site (RTS) Chief Scientist and ROC-H Lead

The Advanced Sensor Systems and Test Beds Group (Group 33) conducts exciting research in the development and demonstration of advanced sensor systems and command and control (C2) architectures for the U.S. Government. The Group incorporates emerging technologies in sensing concepts, autonomy, distributed systems, signal and data processing algorithms, and open architectures into system design concepts, enabling innovative solutions to complex problems. Major activities within the group include RF and optical system design and development, system modeling and simulation, signal processing algorithm development, experimental field testing and data analysis, and development of one-of-a-kind operational and experimental test assets. The group believes in collaborative research, and has expertise in multiple technical fields including radar systems analysis, adaptive sensor array and signal processing, RF and optical systems, HF radar and communications, integration and test, embedded programming, real-time software techniques, signal and detection estimation, Kalman filtering, CFAR detection, bistatic radar, real-time signal processing. Our technical staff members hold advanced degrees in electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, and computer science. The group also conducts local, national, and international field testing and data collection to prove new concepts for real-time prototype implementation, experiment execution, and systems analysis.

Job Description

Group 33 is seeking a candidate for the role of RTS Chief Scientist and RTS Operations Center – Huntsville (ROC-H) team lead, embedded with the government team in Huntsville, AL. The Reagan Test Site (RTS) is the nation’s premier test range, overseen by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), led from Huntsville, AL. The government responsibilities for RTS include both oversight of the test range located on the Kwajalein Atoll and oversight of the distributed command and control facility located in Huntsville. RTS activities support both missile defense and space surveillance missions. Activities include support for operations and testing as well as development and maintenance of a spectrum of test assets including radars, optics, telemetry, and additional specialized instrumentation. Lincoln Laboratory has been the scientific advisor to RTS for over 60 years, providing key technical leadership and expertise to guide the strategy, technology development, and operations for RTS.

The RTS Chief Scientist will act as the RTS Scientific Advisor and the Lincoln focal point for engagement to senior leaders within SMDC. The Scientific Advisor provides unbiased and independent technical advice and counsel to SMDC senior leadership. The RTS Chief Scientist is embedded within the government program office, acting as a trusted advisor to help guide, facilitate, and coordinate Lincoln program efforts. General responsibilities include:

• Defining future system requirements and concepts for Reagan Test Site
• Providing subject matter expertise to technology readiness assessments, including independent assessment of critical technologies
• Participating in analysis teams, high priority trade studies, and analysis for advanced concepts
• Participating in proposal development, design reviews, and working groups within RTS and SMDC
• Providing technical advice for determining and establishing priorities for RTS tasks, mission objectives, and sensor capability evolution
• Facilitating Lincoln communication with the government team, and ensure that Lincoln leadership is well- coordinated with the needs of the program office

Specific activities include leading the embedded Lincoln team at RTS Operations Center – Huntsville (ROC-H) and engaging the broader Lincoln support for RTS from Lexington and Kwajalein; this includes activities in both Divisions 3, 9, and other divisions that interact with RTS.

Requirements

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related technical field; in lieu of a PhD, an MS with 7+ years of relevant technical experience
• Prior experience in at least one of the following areas:
  • Sensor system design (optical, acoustic, or RF), construction, or testing
  • Sensor system data analysis
  • Space and missile defense operations or testing
• Familiarity with one or more test ranges and real-world testing procedures
• Familiarity with RTS, KREMS sensors, missile testing, and space surveillance
• Candidate should be comfortable proposing and exploring innovative techniques and technologies, and should be able to understand how these technologies can provide advanced capabilities to test ranges.
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively with a distributed MIT Lincoln Lab team across Huntsville, Lexington, and Kwajalein
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, government sponsors, stakeholders, senior leadership, and other external organizations
• The Staff member will be most successful with prior experience in sensor system design, analysis, and operations.
• Relocation to Huntsville, AL is expected.

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.

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: 42371