Lead Systems Engineer

at  THE MITRE CORPORATION

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That’s because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation’s toughest challenges—and we’re committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We’re making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities, and a culture of innovation that embraces diversity, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, and career growth. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE—and make a difference with us.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Are you looking for a great opportunity to grow your career, apply your technical skills, and gain experience being embedded with US military staff conducting operations in Europe and Africa? Are you flexible, adaptable, and hungry for challenges? MITRE works to solve the most challenging national and international security problems across the Globe by partnering with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to apply advanced capabilities to real world operational needs in the near term while also strategically positioning the DoD to address critical longer-term challenges.
MITRE is looking for energetic and talented people to join our team working across our sponsors in Europe, Africa and the US to solve critical sponsor challenges for a safer world. We have a current opening with our team at Ramstein Air Base, Germany working across the US Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) directorates, the air component to both US European Command (USEUCOM) and US Africa Command (USAFRICOM). The ideal timing for candidate relocation for this position is Sept-October 2024, with a tour length of 3 years (with possible assignment extensions). This is Lead Engineer level position, but more junior or senior staff will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Although staff relocation is not expected to occur until early fall 2024, this role has an immediate need and selected staff would be eligible to start in the role once selected.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven experience with Department of the Air Force missions and systems
• Proven experience with US Department of Defense systems of systems integration, with a strong background in designing and implementing complex systems
• Demonstrated knowledge in commercial and military modernized IT systems
• Track record of collaboration across multiple organizations
• Flexible, self-starter with a desire to continually learn and master new concepts and technologies (“comfortable in discomfort”)
• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a BS in a technical discipline such as Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Computer), Physics, Statistics, Mathematics, or related fields; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Active Top-Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) as well as NATO Secret
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active Top-Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) and ability to obtain and maintain access to NATO Secret
• Prior experience with ISR operations and capabilities (airborne and overhead)
• Prior experience with C2 operations and capabilities
• Current knowledge of emerging technology being adopted into acquisition programs and/or EUCOM/INDOPACOM theaters
• Current knowledge of DAF IT modernization efforts and roadmaps
• Master’s degree in related field
• Ability to travel for extended periods (2 weeks or greater) prior to relocation up to 50% of the time

The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in systems architecture integration/convergence of USAFE intelligence, surveillance, and recognizance (ISR) and Command and Control (C2) systems with the DAF modernized IT initiatives. This will require collaborating with technical teams and operational to design and implement integrated systems that meet project objectives and stakeholder requirements.

The selected candidate will be expected to work closely and collaboratively with:

• Senior sponsors across USAFE-AFAFRICA to include overall command leadership and leaders within command ISR, C2, operations, technology/data operations, modeling/analytics, and logistics.
• Subject matter experts across the command, including military, government civilian, contractor, and FFRDC/UARC personnel.
• Senior sponsors across DAF technical and acquisition initiatives focusing on modernized design, development, and deployment.
• Subject matter experts across the DAF including modernized digital infrastructure and its mission application.
• An integrated, federated MITRE team demonstrating strong teamwork and cooperation.

The selected candidate will lead and contribute to systems integration at USAFE with emphasis on systems synchronization across command directorates and mission partners. Relevant mission focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance
• Command and Control

Selected candidates will also demonstrate the following:
Interpersonal Skills. Provide and support team leadership by partnering closely with both senior military leaders and action officers to identify operational and engineering challenges, potential solutions, and communicate project goals and impacts clearly and effectively.
Collaboration. Work within a team environment that leverages a robust network of MITRE and other professional connections to engage and collaborate with engineers and planners, subject matter experts, international program (foreign military sales) specialists, and defense acquisition professionals. Continue to leverage a pipeline of MITRE technical expertise from the Labs, capabilities from the MITRE Platforms, and transitioned R&D from the MIP into project delivery.
Senior Sponsor Experience. Comfortably and respectfully engage with both US and foreign nations’ senior military leaders and engineers, as well as commercial executives and managers.
Flexibility. Be able to modify and alter course as the environment and sponsor priorities shift. Understand the power of reach-back and be an effective conduit to bring the talent forward to execute at the right time