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MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Part of MIT

Engaged employer

Review from someone in their mid-20s w/only a bachelor's - Assistant Staff MIT Lincoln Laboratory Employee Review

4.0
11 Feb 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Academic nature of work/general freedom afforded to you. It is a 'traditional' work place in that there are yearly raises, strong benefits, and it seems like management encourages/supports their employees to actually further themselves professionally.

Cons

The freedom afforded to staff often means no one really wants to act as a manager, and therefore means some programs/projects suffer since no one is willing to crack the whip or push back to program sponsors. The lack of a manager or direct supervisor also means one can be pulled in many directions by different teams, and it ends up being your responsibility to manage your own time and priorities. Being traditional however, also means the laboratory is predominately white and male across the board. Management is taking steps to address, and is upfront about this in their yearly overviews to staff, but the pace leaves something to be desired. Additionally, this is not much of a con but a remark, the organization is very flat. You're unlikely to be promoted by that nature (no Staff I->Staff II->Staff III and etc), as promotions actually mean taking a big step in terms of responsibility. However, this should be kept in mind for someone just starting out, as it can be difficult seeing your peers advance in this way in other careers.

Explore other reviews about MIT Lincoln Laboratory

5.0
3 June 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
17 June 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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