Lead RF Systems Engineer

The MITRE Corporation•Tampa, FL

1d•$146,400 - $219,600•Onsite

About The Position

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 for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. 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 Systems Engineer with experience in Radio Frequency (RF) systems, wireless communications, sensor integration, embedded hardware design, and tactical communications technologies to support the Technical Collections and Communications Program Office within Program Executive Office Tactical Information Systems (PEO TIS). In this role, you will help shape and expand a growing portfolio that advances resilient communications, technical collection capabilities, and integrated sensing technologies while reinforcing MITRE's role as a trusted, objective partner advancing mission success for USSOCOM. N552 operates as a globally integrated team supporting United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Headquarters, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Service Component Special Operations Commands (SOCs), and Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). Our engineers work side-by-side with operators, acquisition organizations, and mission partners to identify emerging challenges, evaluate innovative technologies, and deliver practical solutions that increase operational effectiveness, reduce risk, and help ensure the safe return of our nation's special operators.

Requirements

Strong familiarity in one or more of the following areas: (1) Radio Frequency Systems Engineering, (2) Wireless Communications, (3) Tactical Video Systems, (4) Sensor Integration, (5) Systems Integration and Verification, (6) Digital Engineering and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), (7) Systems of Systems Engineering, (8) Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, (9) Embedded Hardware Design or (10) ISR Systems.
Ability to partner closely with the SOF TCC program team to provide trusted technical advice, evaluate emerging technologies, and develop engineering solutions that support SOF operational missions while ensuring technical efforts align with MITRE's mission and FFRDC responsibilities.
Ability to partner with both senior military leaders and action officers to identify tactical, operational, and strategic challenges; and communicate task goals and impacts clearly and effectively.
A commitment to developing a robust network across MITRE and the broader professional community. You will leverage MITRE MTE, MITRE Platforms, and other internal capabilities to provide FFRDC-differentiated value to the sponsor, while disseminating technical products and lessons learned back across the MITRE enterprise.
Comfort and professionalism when engaging with senior military leaders, engineers, and commercial executives.
Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or 3 years with a PhD; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
Experience in systems engineering supporting RF systems, wireless communications, sensor integration, ISR systems, tactical communications, or related technologies.
Experience supporting system integration, verification, validation, or operational test and evaluation activities.
Familiarity with RF communications, spectrum management, antenna systems, RF propagation, wireless networking, or software-defined radio technologies.
Ability to analyze technical data and provide clear, structured findings and recommendations
Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Active Top Secret security clearance
U.S. Citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Active TS/SCI security clearance
Experience supporting DoW programs, particularly in Tactical Communications and SATCOM
Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies (e.g., SysML, Cameo)
Experience with integration and test events in operational or field environments
Knowledge of software autonomy architectures, interoperability frameworks, or distributed systems
Experience with modeling and simulation tools for performance and risk analysis
Familiarity with configuration management processes, engineering change proposals, and technical reviews
Understanding of cybersecurity/information assurance principles and documentation
Experience supporting Special Operations or tactical communication systems
Ability to synthesize user feedback and operational observations into actionable insights

Responsibilities

Lead and support the discovery, evaluation, integration, testing, and operational assessment of RF-enabled technologies that enhance Special Operations Forces' ability to detect, identify, track, and locate hostile forces while enabling resilient transport and dissemination of tactical video, sensor, and communications data in contested and denied environments.
Collaborate with USSOCOM stakeholders, including PEO TIS, operational units, and industry to evaluate emerging RF technologies, identify capability gaps, and develop interoperable solutions that improve hostile force tracking, tactical video dissemination, sensor integration, and resilient wireless communications.
Support systems integration, engineering analyses, laboratory demonstrations, operational experimentation, and technical evaluations of government and commercial technologies.
Develop test objectives, participate in laboratory and field integration activities, analyze system performance, and provide engineering recommendations that improve interoperability, operational effectiveness, and acquisition decisions.
Support requirements development, architecture analysis, engineering trade studies, technical reviews, configuration management, and technology assessments related to RF systems, tactical video, wireless communications, and sensor integration.
Develop technical reports and After-Action Reports (AARs) and provide recommendations to improve system performance, resilience, and mission effectiveness following integration events and operational demonstrations.