Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Tactical Autonomy (Group 10-03)

The Tactical Autonomy Group develops and delivers AI-enabled autonomy and robotic systems where it counts—at the tactical edge. As an FFRDC, we combine academic depth in algorithms, controls, and machine learning, the execution speed of industry, and direct mission pull from operational end-users to solve problems others can’t. We don’t stop at papers: we design, build, integrate, field-test, and transition autonomy stacks—spanning perception, decision-making, learning, and control—into real operations across the DoD and Intelligence Community.

Job Description

The Tactical Autonomy Group is seeking summer interns to help develop the next generation of autonomous and robotic systems for challenging real-world environments. Interns work alongside multidisciplinary teams of engineers and researchers and contribute directly to algorithm development, software implementation, simulation, hardware integration, and field experimentation.

Depending on background and project needs, internship opportunities may include:

• Robotics and autonomous systems: Develop and integrate autonomy algorithms spanning perception, state estimation, planning, decision-making, guidance, and control for uncrewed air, ground, and maritime systems.

• AI/ML and perception: Develop robust approaches for object detection, recognition, tracking, sensor fusion, and learning that operate in complex environments and on resource-constrained edge platforms.

• Planning and multi-agent autonomy: Develop optimization, decision-making, coordination, and task/mission-planning algorithms for individual autonomous systems and heterogeneous teams or swarms.

• Embedded autonomy: Develop high-performance software and integrate autonomy algorithms with embedded compute, sensors, communications, and robotic hardware under real-time and size, weight, and power constraints.

• Modeling, simulation, and experimentation: Build simulation environments and autonomy test infrastructure; evaluate autonomous agents across realistic operational scenarios; and transition algorithms from simulation to hardware and field experiments.

Projects span fundamental research through prototype development and field testing. Interns are encouraged to work across disciplinary boundaries, and specific assignments will be matched to individual interests, experience, and ongoing program needs.

Position Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field.

• Strong programming and software-development skills, with experience in one or more languages commonly used for robotics and autonomy, such as C++, Python, MATLAB, Julia, or similar.

• Strong technical foundation in one or more relevant areas such as robotics, controls, estimation, perception/computer vision, machine learning, optimization/planning, embedded systems, or modeling and simulation.

• Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams and apply technical skills to new and unfamiliar problems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Prior research, project, competition, or internship experience involving robotics, autonomous systems, AI/ML, embedded systems, or related technologies is desirable but not required.

Compensation

Hourly pay rates below are effective January 2026 – December 2026 and will be reviewed again for Summer 2027. Rates are based on the highest academic year or degree completed before the internship start date.

Freshman year completed: $25.00/hourSophomore year completed: $27.00/hourJunior year completed: $29.00/hour4th year of 5 year program completed, no degree conferred: $32.00/hourBachelors completed: $34.50/hourBachelors + 1, one year of graduate study completed: $36.50/hourBachelors + 2, two years of graduate study completed: $38.00/hourMS completed: $39.00/hourMS + 1, one year of graduate study completed after the MS: $41.00/hourMS + 2, two years of graduate study completed after the MS: $42.50/hourMS + 3, three years of graduate study completed after the MS: $43.50/hour

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 (https://hr.mit.edu/benefits) for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks (https://hr.mit.edu/benefits/additional) .

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.

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