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DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The MITRE Labs Infrastructure & Networking Innovation Center (L110 Division) stands at the forefront of innovation, driving how MITRE connects critical infrastructure, national security, and government programs. As industry leaders in communications, cloud engineering, advanced computing, cybersecurity, DevOps, business and workflow optimization, mission assurance, and networking (from IT to OT) our team builds resilient solutions for tactical and contested environments, all supported by a robust, mission-oriented lab infrastructure.
We are seeking a visionary Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership across diverse domains and work programs. The ideal candidate will collaborate with FFRDC sponsors strategically partnering with MPS and MNS Managing Directors to develop groundbreaking solutions across the enterprise, while also proposing, building, and leading new R&D initiatives for non-FFRDC sponsors alongside Innovation Center and MITRE Labs leadership.
This role demands a leader who exemplifies agility, boldness, and authenticity, and who inspires others through influence, encouragement, and unwavering respect. We are looking for a collaborative self-starter who is passionate about shaping the future of innovation in communications, networking, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced mission-driven systems. If you are excited to make a lasting impact and help define the next generation of technology, we invite you to join our dynamic team.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Typically requires a minimum of 15 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar field; or 12 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 10 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Technical depth across communications, networking, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering with an ability to creatively inject innovation into projects. The candidate should also be a recognized expert in at least one of the above.
• The candidate should have demonstrated experience working collaboratively across diverse sponsors/stakeholders to propose, shape, and lead impactful work.
• A strong leadership presence and demonstrated thought leadership in at least one division core competency area such as communication systems, networking, systems engineering, cloud engineering, or cybersecurity.
• Proven track record in making deep, substantive technical contributions including work shaping to meet stakeholder needs.
• Technical domain-specific knowledge, leadership, and influence internally and externally across multiple stakeholders to move mission outcomes forward consistent with division, center, sector, and corporate strategies.
• Experience creating and leading technical strategies to increase the impact of outcomes.
• Experience driving innovation into the work program by leveraging R&D, facilitating engagement between researchers and relevant stakeholders, and overseeing the transition of research results to stakeholders to address mission outcomes.
• Proven Track record of partnering with organizations (e.g., internal, academia, industry) to ensure capabilities and platforms are strategically leveraged in the execution of programs.
• Experience in shaping the workforce and skill mix to develop the technical capabilities of the staff to include high quality hires capable of technical impact and growth.
• Demonstrated proficiency and strength in verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in virtual and live presentations of complex technical issues.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MS or advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar field, and 15+ years of related experience.
• The candidate should have mentoring experience as well as academic outreach experience.
• Applied AI/ML experience in one of the core competency fields identified above.

Technical Impact

• Explore and lead key, sponsor-relevant research questions and projects which mature technologies such as decentralized wireless offerings through market incentive mechanisms and token economics, AI/ML approaches to spectrum sensing and deconfliction, and next-generation telecommunication system design.
• Ensure the technical strength of the work program by shaping its content, participating in technical product definition and reviews, and bringing a perspective that reflects knowledge of the domain, understanding of the state of the art and practice in technology, and comprehension of MITRE and key external communities.
• Regularly publish material and deliver presentations on subject matter expertise to further enhance external MITRE brand and achieve broader impact.
• Ensure individual projects are driving change at a technical level, while partnering with project leaders to ensure the project itself is the right level impact for MITRE, during its inception and onset.
• Provide input into the Mission Value Chains (“MVCs”) used to trace mission outcomes to MITRE technical work and products, at the department level.

Strategy Development

• Work with senior technical experts in L110 and across MITRE Labs to develop research strategies that identify research goals, methods, and outcomes expected over 12-18 months to demonstrate viability and technical maturity.
• Coordinate execution of the Division research strategy, technical capability area development, and work program alignment to Labs S&T Goals with internal technical leaders across multiple fields, collaborating across MITRE Labs to focus on impact and growth of these core competencies.
• Develop R&D proposals for additional S&T investments across relevant disciplines to scale the impact of research strategies.
• Drive MITRE’s development of technical capabilities, including identifying new areas to develop, areas to shape out of, and help see MITRE’s technical strengths and weaknesses. Includes strategic planning around the technical strategy such as guiding investments or input into platforms across MITRE.

Team Development

• As a leading authority and expert, mentor and develop technical staff across Telecommunications, AI/ML, Networking, Cloud Engineering, and other relevant disciplines to create communities of experts.
• Leading efforts in deliberately growing the organization’s core competency areas and ensuring deliberate early career workforce shaping by growing expertise based on training, mentoring, and project work opportunities.
• Partnerships and Initiatives
• Develop and maintain relationships with key technical leaders across MITRE program divisions, MITRE Labs, MITRE Platforms, and externally for new project collaboration opportunities, technical skillset development, and technical quality.
• Work with other chief engineers, support MITRE’s Innovation Program (MIP), which is MITRE’s internal R&D program to fund and pursue projects beyond our direct sponsor requests, to generate impact, Innovation leads, Outcome Leads, and Project Leaders to identify and execute work proposals aimed at injecting innovation across critical department projects, and potentially developing new program areas.
• Coordinate technical outreach to industry, academia, and other stakeholders, ensuring that best practices and technologies are brought to bear on technical products.
• Lead cross-Center technical initiatives, with MITRE wide impact, potentially involving visibility with MITRE’s Board of Trustees

Culture

• Promote risk taking, challenge team to seek opportunities for partnerships and collaboration, and expand opportunities for technical and leadership growth and development.