CO-OP Student (Security Services Department, 12-10) (January-June 2025) at MIT Lincoln Laboratory – Lexington, MA, USA

The overall mission of the Security Services Division is to identify and counter security threats to MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s mission to develop breakthrough technology in support of national security, including protection against compromise by foreign intelligence services and insider threats. To accomplish this mission, this division formulates and implements policies, plans, and actions designed to protect facilities from threats of vandalism, inadvertent destruction, and sabotage; and protects personnel, classified and unclassified information systems, personally identifiable information, property, and other assets from exploitation and recruitment by foreign intelligence services.

We foster a diverse and inclusive culture that empowers security professionals from a variety of backgrounds to solve complex security challenges in close collaboration with lab research teams and government colleagues. Our people are our most important resource, and we encourage an informal, flexible, and opportunity-filled work environment that is technology-focused. Where mission needs can be met, the Security Services Division encourages flexible schedules and hybrid remote work arrangements.

Who are we?

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that conducts research in support of national security.

• Mission – The overall mission of the Security Services Department (SSD) is to identify and counter security threats to MIT Lincoln Laboratory. This mission includes developing breakthrough technologies to support national security, including protection from foreign intelligence compromise and insider threats.
• Culture – We promote an inclusive, opportunity-rich environment with motivated team members from diverse backgrounds.

What are you going to do?

Overview:

The six (6) month LEAD program offers current students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a rapidly changing industrial security environment.
The FAC is a Tier-3 technical analysis section within the SSD Cybersecurity Group. The FAC supports cyber investigations by conducting digital forensic investigations. In addition, the FAC provides specialized technical and operational threat intelligence and analysis capabilities to support cybersecurity operations.

• Support forensic analysis of the host system to support cyber investigations
• Assist in the development of new forensic procedures and techniques
• Develop training and ensure information security operational procedures are current and accurate
• Collaborate with the lab’s cyber research staff
• Run tests with forensic tools and upgrade if necessary
• Support for various cyber threat intelligence efforts

How are you going to grow?

You will be given valuable opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment that is consciously designed as one where you can learn, thrive and belong.
Leadership: Room to grow within your team or to lead cross-functional projects.
Growth Opportunities: Potential for lateral and vertical movement.
Education/Training: Management training, mentoring, internal and external courses.
Exposure: Involvement with sponsors, stakeholders, laboratory management, and other departments and divisions.
Community: Participation in lab social events, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), clubs and study groups, volunteer work, and community projects is encouraged.

What do you need:

To work at MITLL, all employees must meet certain basic requirements.

• The ability to obtain and maintain an interim confidentiality agreement
• Must be a US citizen.
• Pass a background check.
• Active participation in an accredited Bachelor’s/Master’s degree program in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Information Systems
• Knowledge of securing operating systems such as Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, Mac, etc. is required.
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas in writing and orally in a multifunctional environment is required.
• The successful candidate will be subject to due diligence prior to appointment and must comply with all requirements for access to confidential information.

Ideally you have:

The laboratory values ​​experiences from diverse backgrounds and professions. The most successful candidates will have the following skills and qualifications.

• Highly motivated, interested in the fields of cyber defense and cyber research, curious and able to explore new, highly technical topics.
• Knowledge of the operation and forensic artifacts of modern operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux).
• Knowledge of sound digital forensic principles, techniques and processes.
• Knowledge of corporate networks, security infrastructure and general protocols.
• Knowledge of virtualization technologies and cloud computing.
• Knowledge of security environments for mobile devices (iOS/Android).
• Knowledge of corporate networks, security infrastructure and common protocols
• Ability to translate complex technical topics into business terms for decision makers

Selected candidates will be subject to a pre-appointment background check and must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD secret security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.