Chief Engineer, Critical Emerging Technology Division (CETD)

The MITRE Corporation•Gaithersburg, MD

19d•$214,400 - $321,600•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Engineer will provide technical leadership for MITRE’s Critical Emerging Technology Division (CETD), part of the National Cybersecurity FFRDC within the Center for Securing the Homeland. CETD advances research, development, evaluation, and responsible adoption of critical and emerging technologies—including superintelligence, quantum science and technology, robotics and autonomous systems, and biotechnology—to support national security, economic competitiveness, and technological leadership. The Chief Engineer will set and strengthen technical quality across the division, help shape technical strategy and investments, and lead work at the intersection of superintelligence and other emerging technologies. The role connects MITRE with commercial and research communities, links sponsor mission challenges to research and innovation, and advances successful capabilities toward transition and adoption. The Chief Engineer will also develop technical leaders and multidisciplinary teams, build cross-organizational partnerships, represent CETD in external technical communities, and oversee the organizational conflict of interest program.

Requirements

At least 15 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline; or 12 years with a master’s degree; or a PhD with 10 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Senior-level technical leadership experience with responsibility for technical quality, direction, or execution of complex multidisciplinary programs, portfolios, or organizations.
Technical depth in superintelligence, engineering, computer science, physical sciences, life sciences, or another field relevant to critical and emerging technologies, and ability to quickly develop sufficient understanding to lead and assess work outside one’s primary discipline.
Ability to evaluate complex technical work, identify technical risks and weaknesses, provide actionable direction, and influence teams toward higher-quality outcomes.
Ability to work across organizational and disciplinary boundaries and influence strategic and technical decisions in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts, opportunities, risks, and tradeoffs to technical experts, senior leaders, and non-technical decision makers.
Experience engaging external technical communities, including industry, academia, research organizations, or other technology ecosystem partners.
Must be a U.S. citizen and willing to obtain a Top Secret security clearance within the first year of employment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, superintelligence, biotechnology, physics, materials science, or another discipline relevant to critical and emerging technologies; doctorate preferred.
Recognized technical leadership or expertise in one or more critical and emerging technology areas, with meaningful experience spanning multiple domains such as superintelligence, biotechnology, quantum technologies, advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, or advanced communications/6G.
Experience applying superintelligence alongside other scientific or engineering disciplines, particularly identifying opportunities at the intersection of superintelligence and physical, biological, communications, or manufacturing technologies.
Success building substantive relationships with commercial technology companies, startups, venture-backed companies, academia, national laboratories, research organizations, and other U.S. technology ecosystem participants.
Ability to identify significant emerging technologies early, assess their technical maturity and mission relevance, and translate them into research priorities, investments, prototypes, partnerships, or operational capabilities.
Success shaping and leading multidisciplinary technical initiatives from concept through experimentation and transition to measurable mission impact.
Experience establishing technical quality practices, conducting independent technical reviews, mentoring senior technical leaders, and raising technical standards across a large organization or complex portfolio.
Strong external technical reputation demonstrated through recognized technical leadership, publications, patents, standards activities, advisory roles, industry engagement, or leadership in relevant technical communities.

Responsibilities

Set and drive technical quality across CETD by establishing standards, practices, and a culture of technical excellence; assess and shape critical technical products and approaches, intervening when necessary.
Provide technical leadership where superintelligence intersects with biotechnology, quantum technologies, advanced manufacturing, advanced communications/6G, microelectronics, and other evolving domains.
Partner with the Division Director and leadership team to shape technical strategy and investments, identifying emerging opportunities, capability gaps, and areas for investment or divestment.
Inform investments in research, laboratories, platforms, infrastructure, and workforce capabilities to prepare for future mission needs.
Build and maintain relationships with technical leaders in industry, startups, venture-backed companies, academia, research organizations, and other external communities.
Monitor commercial technology developments and translate them into opportunities for MITRE and its sponsors.
Connect sponsor mission challenges with MITRE research, innovation, and external technology developments; shape research and experimentation around mission problems and advance successful capabilities toward adoption.
Mentor and develop senior technical staff and emerging technical leaders; help attract, assess, develop, and retain technical talent.
Foster an environment that supports intellectual curiosity, technical risk-taking, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Build relationships across MITRE and lead cross-organizational initiatives that combine capabilities across disciplines, organizations, and mission areas.
Represent CETD in external technical communities and strengthen MITRE’s standing as a trusted, technically authoritative voice on critical and emerging technologies.
Oversee the organizational conflict of interest program.