Space Systems Engineer, Principal (Joint and Services Center)

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. Thats because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nations toughest challenges—and were 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. Were 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.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) & U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) Operations Department (N256) provides applied systems and mission engineering to both Combatant Commands (CCMD). N256 is a critical element of the Joint Staff / Unified CCMD Division (N250), emphasizing collaboration and mission-focused solutions. This position requires demonstrated competencies across several capability areas, including space operations, special operations, joint force and mission partner operations, and the defense and intelligence communities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Qualified candidates will have a strong background in Space Systems Engineering with demonstrated experience supporting the special operations, defense, or intelligence communities. The candidate will partner closely with the USSPACECOM, Special Operations, and USINDOPACOM Department leadership teams, as well as the other strategic elements within MITRE, to work as a unified team to further develop tactical, operational, and strategic solutions and needs in support of the National Security mission. The candidate must demonstrate strong teamwork and cooperation within an integrated, federated MITRE team. They will work closely with military and civilian experts across the Federal government to address critical mission needs, provide options that anticipate operational requirements, and identify emerging solutions to mission challenges.

Specifically, selected candidates will be expected to:

Apply systems engineering knowledge to analyze, develop, field, integrate, and modernize operational and emerging space capabilities with supported warfighter plans and HQ USSPACECOM, Service, and JTF-SD planning and architecture elements.

Identify opportunities to implement innovative technical solutions to address sponsor and enterprise challenges.

Collaborate with MITRE colleagues supporting organizations across the space enterprise to advocate for user needs, identify capability shortfalls and recommend technical and operational solutions to increase operational effectiveness.

Build relationships within MITRE and locally through sponsor organizations to enable stronger and more effective international information-sharing capabilities and constructs for the space domain.

Basic Qualifications:

Typically Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years related Space Systems experience; Master’s degree and 8 years’ experience; or a PhD and 5 years’ relevant experience.

Expertise and knowledge with Service/Joint space systems, processes, and primary space C2 and Sensor programs

Experience with CCMD, Service, or equivalent Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes.

Experience with requirements documentation and program/mission gap analysis.

Experience conceiving, developing, and fielding technical solutions to operational problems (e.g. JCTDs, JUONs).

Experience integrating Special Access Program capabilities with white world systems and processes.

Active TS/SCI required, with the ability to be cleared for Special Access Programs.

This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in technical discipline (engineering, computer science, math, data analytics, or related physical sciences).

Recent experience (within the last three years) working in the Space Defense Systems domain.

10 years working in space mission area.

Expertise in at least one major DoD/IC space system (technical/system or operations).

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Work Location Type:

Onsite

MITRE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. MITRE recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of age; ancestry; color; family medical or genetic information; gender identity and expression; marital, military, or veteran status; national and ethnic origin; physical or mental disability; political affiliation; pregnancy; race; religion; sex; sexual orientation; and any other protected characteristics. For further information please visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website EEO is the Law Poster (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088EEOCKnowYourRights1020.pdf) and Pay Transparency (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp%20EnglishformattedESQA508c.pdf) .

MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE’s employment process, please email recruitinghelp@mitre.org .

Copyright © 2024, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.

Benefits information may be found here (https://careers.mitre.org/us/en/benefits)