Work is usually very interesting
Work-life balance is fantastic
Benefits are the best I've seen
Chance to work across multiple domains
Learn new things daily and use/invent cutting-edge technology
Cons
Compensation is highly dependent upon academic credentials (degree)
Sometimes projects feel stale
If you're not self-motivated, it is hard to succeed
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Response
12y
We are pleased that you find this to be a great place with interesting work. It is true that this is a place where self-motivated people succeed. As technology changes rapidly, we value people who are motivated to continually improve. This is something that we focus on in the interview process. We hope that you will take advantage of learning opportunities as they arise.
Explore other reviews about MIT Lincoln Laboratory
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.
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.