Chief Scientist for Robotics and Autonomous Systems

at  THE MITRE CORPORATION

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MITRE’s Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy Innovation Center is home to an interdisciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team united by a passion to catalyze consequential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are 200 strong and growing! We collaboratively work across government, industry, and academia to address complex AI and Autonomy challenges for the benefit of our nation. We apply our trusted technical expertise to enable the effective, assured, and responsible application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to critical government missions. MITRE aims to realize the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for public good.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

MITRE’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department is an innovative team of engineers focused on the development of cutting-edge autonomous systems, robotics capabilities, and AI solutions for a safer world. The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Autonomous Systems Expert. The right candidate will enjoy a fast-paced team environment, a broad array of challenging problems, and an opportunity to work with advanced technologies from across the field of autonomy. A successful candidate for this position will serve a critical role in enabling advanced autonomy capabilities both for our sponsors as well as internal efforts at MITRE.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Technical expertise in AI and Autonomy
• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Experience in robotics-relevant fields, such as computer vision, machine learning, human machine teaming, perception, planning, and multi-agent systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate challenging technical concepts to both untrained and expert audiences.
• Can-do attitude and history of entrepreneurial success.
• Ability to exert meaningful influence over strategic decisions in complex, multi-stakeholder, and collaborative environments.
• Demonstrated track record in learning about and rapidly responding to new problems across a variety of domains.
• Comprehensive understanding of state of the art and best practices in Autonomy technologies and key technical communities outside of MITRE.
• Demonstrated proficiency in both virtual and live presentation of complex technical issues.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI clearance within one year of employment.
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• PhD. or comparable research experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field resulting in peer-reviewed publications and successful research proposals.
• Demonstrated expertise in broad areas of artificial intelligence and autonomy spanning across civil sectors and national security missions.
• Demonstrated track record in building strong internal and external partnerships.
• Experience with leveraging solutions from leading academic and commercial research groups.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, experience growing and managing technical teams

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

MITRE’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department is looking for a Chief Scientist who is on the cutting-edge of AI and autonomy technologies and understands emerging challenges. To collectively help achieve our momentous goals, our Chief Scientist will shape and implement the research and development strategy for the department.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and evolve the technical vision and strategy for the department and ensure its alignment with FFRDC strategies.
• Develop new, impactful work opportunities for staff in collaboration with MITRE’s business units and though direct-to-Labs opportunities.
• Ensure the technical relevance, quality, and integrity of our work program and MASE lab capabilities.
• Shape and drive cutting-edge, sponsor-relevant Autonomy research in MITRE’s Internal Research and Development Program.
• Deliberately grow the organization’s external technical stature by conducting, encouraging, and supporting external thought leadership in robotics and autonomous systems through publications and conference/professional society participation.
• Support early career workforce development.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key technical leaders across MITRE program divisions, MITRE Labs, and externally to grow new collaboration opportunities.
• Coordinate technical outreach to industry, academia, and other stakeholders, creating partnerships and ensuring that best practices and technologies are brought to bear on technical products.