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      MIT Lincoln Laboratory

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      MIT Lincoln Laboratory reviews

      Awesome Technical Job, but with serious 'career' deficiencies - Anonymous employee MIT Lincoln Laboratory Employee Review

      4.0
      Apr 20, 2015
      Anonymous employee
      Recommend
      CEO approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      From the technical aspect, Lincoln Labs is a dream job. We get to work on cutting edge projects with significant financial backing (at least in my group). Small project teams leads to high levels of project ownership and in depth understanding of complex systems. The management (generally) all have scientific or engineering background which is a breath of fresh air compared to other technical workplaces with MBAs trying to make engineering decisions. Good work life balance, flexible hours all that good stuff.

      Cons

      There are two particular issues I have with the lab. The first is how the lab chooses to promote employees. In each of the three years I have worked there, after my 'substantial' raises each review period, my take home pay decreased. While I was getting a ~3% raise, the tax increases and health care increases grew at a higher rate. In addition, there is no particular way to get a raise other than getting a new degree, in my case a PHD. The other issue is location. If you are a fan of Massachusetts, this does not matter, but Boston has worn me out. Not getting paid appropriately and living in a place I don't really like have become a bigger burden, out weighing my enjoyment of my work.

      avatar
      MIT Lincoln Laboratory Response
      10y
      We are pleased that you consider Lincoln Laboratory a technical dream job. The are many factors that impact compensation and these are all considered in detail in managing our salary and benefits programs. As a not for profit employer, there are some constraints within we must work. Nonetheless, frequent analysis tells us that our salaries are competitive within the marketplace. Increases in taxes and health care progress at a rate that is sometimes unpredictable but we do actively review our structure to incure that we are keeping pace. Massachusetts, particularly the Boston area has become one of the more expensive employment markets. On the plus side, there is a lot of value in terms of opportunity and return on investment in real estate. For any number of reasons, the Northeast is not for everyone. Perhaps you will have opportunity to transfer to one of our other locations in the future.

      Explore other reviews about MIT Lincoln Laboratory

      5.0
      Jun 3, 2026
      Member of technical staff
      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
      Member of technical staff
      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.

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