Lead AI Engineer

The MITRE Corporation•Tampa, FL

4d•$174,000 - $261,000•Onsite

About The Position

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future. The MITRE Special Operations and Joint Staff Department (N552) partners with the U.S. Special Operations community to solve complex national security challenges by delivering innovative, mission-driven engineering and technical expertise. Working across government, industry, and academia, we accelerate the development, integration, and transition of advanced capabilities that strengthen operational effectiveness, reduce mission risk, and help ensure Special Operations Forces (SOF) maintain decision advantage in contested environments. We are seeking a strategic-minded, technically skilled, and operationally focused Artificial Intelligence Engineer to serve in a full-time sponsor environment supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). The successful candidate will bring deep experience developing, deploying, and transitioning AI/ML-enabled capabilities in support of complex national security missions. Working directly with DoD and Intelligence Community sponsors, operators, and mission partners, this individual will develop, integrate, and operationalize advanced data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities that improve mission planning, operational effectiveness, and decision-making. N552 operates as a globally integrated team supporting USSOCOM Headquarters, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Service Component Special Operations Commands (SOCs), and Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). Engineers work directly with operators, acquisition organizations, and mission partners to identify emerging challenges, evaluate advanced technologies, and transition mission-ready capabilities into operational use. This position offers the opportunity to work alongside Special Operations Forces and government sponsors, applying advanced data science and artificial intelligence to some of the nation's most challenging national security problems while rapidly delivering innovative capabilities to operational users.

Requirements

Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical field.
Hands-on experience designing, building, deploying, and transitioning prototype systems for DoD or Intelligence Community sponsors.
Experience developing AI/ML solutions, including traditional machine learning, deep learning, and large language model (LLM)-enabled applications using frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Codex/Claude CLI, LangChain, or equivalent.
Experience developing scalable data processing and analytics solutions using distributed computing frameworks such as Spark, Hadoop Distributed File System, Delta Tables, or similar technologies.
Strong software development skills in Python/PySpark/Scala, with experience developing production-quality software using modern engineering practices, including Git, automated testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows.
Experience with Linux operating systems and terminal use.
Experience developing data science and machine learning applications using open-source tools such as NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Scikit-Learn, SQL, and related frameworks.
Experience integrating, processing, and analyzing structured, unstructured, geospatial, temporal, and multi-source operational data.
Demonstrated success leading capability development efforts and transitioning operational prototypes to government sponsors.
Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI w/Poly U.S. Government issued Security Clearance.
Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical field.
Experience leading technical projects for DoD or Intelligence Community sponsors, including managing multidisciplinary teams and executing work within secure operational environments.
Experience applying advanced technical solutions to support mission needs in highly constrained, operational, or denied environments.
Demonstrated success identifying operational capability gaps and developing innovative technical solutions for DoD or Intelligence Community sponsors.
Experience with big data architectures, distributed analytics, and cloud-based data processing technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop, Python).
Experience developing software for embedded, distributed, high-performance, or cloud computing environments.
Experience deploying AI/ML or data analytics capabilities into operational environments supporting military or intelligence missions.

Responsibilities

Designing and implementing technical solutions
Conducting applied research and rapid prototyping
Collaborating directly with government stakeholders to improve mission outcomes
Developing tactical, operational, and strategic capabilities supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community
Working effectively within MITRE's federated environment by partnering across NSEC, MITRE Labs, and other organizations while engaging directly with SOF operators and government technical experts
Developing production-quality software, machine learning applications, and data analytics solutions
Rapidly prototyping, deploying, and transitioning capabilities across multiple mission areas
Building trusted relationships with legal, policy, intelligence, technical, and operational stakeholders
Coordinating technical efforts across multiple projects while working directly with SOF program teams to deliver solutions supporting specialized missions and sensitive activities
Leading and mentoring technical teams to achieve mission objectives
Clearly communicating technical approaches, risks, and impacts to sponsors and stakeholders
Collaborating with engineers, planners, analysts, and mission specialists to deliver actionable solutions that address operational needs
Building enduring relationships with senior military leaders, engineers, and technical experts to understand mission needs, shape technical direction, and deliver operationally relevant solutions
Demonstrating the agility to adapt as sponsor priorities and operational requirements evolve
Leveraging MITRE's technical reach-back capabilities to rapidly assemble the right expertise at the right time while operating effectively within SOF culture and sensitive mission environments