Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Electric Grid Communications Security, Energy Systems (Gr 47)

Location: Lexington, MA, US

The Energy Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory develops technology solutions that enhance the resilience and efficiency of both civilian and defense energy systems. This includes developing advanced architectures and system designs to improve the resilience of power grids, developing new control techniques for microgrids and distributed energy resources, and developing hardware and real-time simulation testbeds.

The Energy Systems Group seeks a summer intern to work within a multi-disciplinary team to help strengthen the cybersecurity of the electric grid. The candidate hired for this position will characterize technology solutions that enable electric utilities to secure Operational Technology (OT) networks and components. Securing these fundamental elements of the electric grid can help prevent a network intrusion from escalating into a consequential cyber-attack.

The candidate will help design, implement and conduct tests within MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test facility. Tasks may include

Integrating zero trust (ZT) vendor solutions into the testbed

Developing test harness software

Assessing effectiveness of the solutions to mitigate attacks

The data and analysis produced by the candidate will be integrated into guidelines and recommendations made by MIT Lincoln Laboratory to its government sponsors.

Candidates who are in the process of earning a B.S., M.S., and or Ph.D. in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics or other engineering discipline will be considered. Candidates must have strong problem-solving skills, work well in teams and independently, and possess effective written and oral communication skills.

A successful candidate is required to have software development skills with a particular focus on Python. In addition, candidates must demonstrate capability in a subset of the following areas:

Software design, development, and testing

Fundamentals in object-oriented programming and bash scripting

Ansible and infrastructure automation

Statistics and quantitative analysis

Experimental design, instrumentation and measurement

Cybersecurity concepts and methods, including Zero Trust

Operational technology (OT) cybersecurity

Summer Research Program Overview

The Summer Research Program offers students the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national security challenges while working alongside leading scientists and engineers. As an SRP intern, you’ll engage in hands-on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and take part in professional development opportunities including workshops, tech talks, and networking events—all while building connections within a vibrant community of peers.

Internships are typically 10–12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, typically May through early August.

Housing support is available for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment.

Complimentary daily shuttle transportation is provided from Boston-based housing to and from the Lab.

Learn more about the Summer Research Program at: https://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/student-opportunities/summer-research-program

Compensation

Hourly pay rates are based on the highest academic year or degree completed before the internship start date.

Freshman year completed: $25.00/hour Sophomore year completed: $27.00/hour Junior year completed: $29.00/hour 4th year of 5 year program completed, no degree conferred: $32.00/hour Bachelors completed: $34.50/hour Bachelors + 1, one year of graduate study completed: $36.50/hour Bachelors + 2, two years of graduate study completed: $38.00/hour MS completed: $39.00/hour

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment 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.

Requisition ID: 43491