Lead Autonomous Systems Engineer

The MITRE Corporation • Fairborn, OH

1d • $174,000 - $261,000 • Onsite

About The Position

MITRE's Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department is seeking a strong technical candidate with a STEM degree to join an innovative team of engineers focused on developing Artificial Intelligence and/or Autonomous System solutions for sponsor needs. The right candidate will enjoy a fast-paced team environment and work with groundbreaking technology. This role involves supporting Air Force autonomy work in the Dayton office, working on a wide variety of challenging activities in direct support of sponsor programs and MITRE’s AI and autonomy efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical major.
• 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.
• 8+ years’ applicable work experience related to Autonomy and AI.
• Experience with autonomous systems applications to operations in the DoW, particularly as they relate to Air Force applications and Manned-Unmanned Teaming.
• Deep experience in one or more robotics-relevant fields, such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, agentic AI, control theory, multi-robot systems, and autonomy C2 systems.
• Ability to articulate autonomy-specific challenges (in perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration), understand real-world application challenges, discuss critical issues, and identify gaps.
• Familiarity with the state of the art in the field, including the use of Autonomy GRA (A-GRA).
• Proven ability to work independently to learn new technologies, techniques, processes, languages, platforms, systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to shape work with sponsors or stakeholders in the absence of given requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, set schedules, appropriately communicate risks, and manage budget.
• Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI.
• Must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
• Experience with software development in a production setting.
• Familiarity with quarterbacking concepts, collaborative effects of autonomous systems, C2 for operational systems.
• Experience with production setting software engineering environments and processes (CI/CD pipelines).
• Knowledge of advances of Autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia.
• Domain knowledge of swarming systems, red teaming, counter UxS, robotic test and evaluation, agentic AI, manufacturing robotics, and/or missile defense.
• Experience with rapid prototyping featuring software components.
• Experience with field testing autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systems.
• Knowledge and/or experience with edge computing, C-SWAP (compute, size, weight, and power) platforms, and/or surrogate or scaled platforms.
• Experience with DoW acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Work on a wide variety of challenging activities in direct support of sponsor programs.
• Support MITRE’s AI and autonomy efforts.
• Articulate autonomy-specific challenges (in perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration).
• Understand real-world application challenges.
• Discuss critical issues and identify gaps.
• Learn new technologies, techniques, processes, languages, platforms, and systems independently.
• Foster relationship development with sponsors.
• Shape work with sponsors or stakeholders in the absence of given requirements.
• Lead teams, set schedules, appropriately communicate risks, and manage budget.
• Develop, propose, and execute autonomy research.
• Work and/or lead teams to implement and evaluate AI and Autonomy algorithms.
• Perform rapid prototyping featuring software components.
• Conduct field testing of autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systems.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits
• Exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth
• Culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior