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MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Part of MIT

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Why so frequent job postings at MIT LL ? - Anonymous employee MIT Lincoln Laboratory Employee Review

3.0
22 Mar 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good technology learning environment for young post docs. Very good tuition reimbursement program to complete or add degrees or skills to your background.

Cons

As an FFRDC the number of staff members is strictly limited. So frequent job postings mean frequent "graduation" or ejection or termination of staff. You are fortunate and exceptional if your employment lasts longer than a 4 year college degree. Beware of LL's Laddering process to evaluate staff performance.

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MIT Lincoln Laboratory Response
10y
We appreciate your comments. FFRDC's do have a ceiling on staff that can be on board, depending on the organization and the contract. By and large, our staff stay for a good deal longer than four years. A portion of our total work program is not governed by ceiling so we are looking for talented technical employees most of the time. This is not actually a function of "graduation" but reflects a robust work program.

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5.0
3 June 2026
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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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