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MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Part of MIT

Engaged Employer

Exciting research and great work/life balance - Associate Staff MIT Lincoln Laboratory Employee Review

4.0
Jan 19, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work/life balance, serious research and development, get to publish papers, very good job security. I took this job so that I could continue doing real research after college, and I wasn't disappointed. The allowances for work/life balance are very generous so that I don't have to worry about working ridiculous hours or about needing to change my hours to accommodate family stuff or errands. Great people to work with who are happy to be there and are very smart and good at what they do.

Cons

Not easy to move up or get big raises

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MIT Lincoln Laboratory Response
10y
Thanks for taking the time to comment and for your reflections on the Lab. There are places that can offer more money and titles but it comes at a price. As you have found, we are able to accomplish important outcomes for our sponsors while still being able to provide strong work/life balance. The lack of a profit motivation or the need to reward shareholders gives us more opportunity to focus on technology that addresses significant issues.

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.

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