employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Part of MIT

Engaged Employer

Interesting work, talented people - Technical Staff MIT Lincoln Laboratory Employee Review

4.0
Nov 19, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Problems are challenging and exciting. Colleagues are very smart and talented. Management develops presentation skills well. Access to management fairly easy. Good retirement benefits.

Cons

Commute from Boston time consuming. Compensation/perks could be more in line with silicon valley competitors. Structure of projects determined externally and so sometimes education of project team members steals time from IP development.

avatar
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Response
11y
Thanks for your insight and overall positive view. Ready access to management is one of the desired outcomes of our flat organization. Our studies show that our compensation and benefits compare favorably with the market overall. Many employees who have left and returned have noted that the resources, intellectual challenge, stability, and quality of work here are more desirable than other places. We offer a different set of strengths and motivations than many commercial environments. That is something each individual should consider as they look at employment here. We provide a shuttle from the MIT campus that might be an option in commuting. We do work with the local transit agencies to investigate ways to improve transportation. Thanks again.

Explore other reviews about MIT Lincoln Laboratory

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It can vary a lot from group to group, but in general, wonderful place with wonderful people and lots of interesting work going on. Excellent benefits and lots of flexibility to explore different projects.

Cons

Little opportunity for advancement in terms of rank and compensation once you reach technical staff. Additionally (again varies from group to group) expectations of what a staff member does can be unclear and there can be a light sink-or-swim nature to the work, again depending on the group you're in.

4.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Worked with some of the smartest people I’ve ever known. Great opportunities to learn from your coworkers and an atmosphere that encourages learning, including a well-run technical education program. Fabulous support staff and technicians that can get seemingly impossible things done quickly. Great resources and lab spaces (if a bit dated). The nature of the work encourages good work/life balance. Fantastic benefits (though the pay is low).

Cons

No/limited opportunities for advancement makes this a hard place to work mid-career. Good engineers are promoted to be mediocre managers. Every program is under-funded, under-staffed, and over schedule. Bad managers are shuffled around but rarely fired.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All