Lead Space Systems Engineer

The MITRE Corporation•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•$146,400 - $219,600•Hybrid

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 Army Multi-Domain ISR Operations and Systems (N212) department, part of MITRE’s Army Program Division within MITRE National Security, is dedicated to advancing the Army’s capabilities in intelligence collection, processing, and actionable decision-making. The department specializes in supporting the Army’s efforts to design, deliver, and sustain cutting-edge technologies that enhance multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Key focus areas include Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), intelligence targeting systems, ISR sensors, assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), electromagnetic situational awareness, and non-kinetic effects to enable operational freedom and achieve overmatch. N212 works closely with Army Acquisition organizations, including the Capability Program Executive Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (CPE IEW&S), as well as intelligence entities such as Army G-2 and INSCOM, the Space and Missile Defense Command, and science and technology research organizations such as DEVCOM C5ISR and the Army Research Laboratory. N212 is driven by a strong operational focus and deep technical expertise across a wide range of disciplines, ensuring its contributions align with Army’s mission to empower Warfighters and decision-makers with superior intelligence capabilities.

Requirements

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 Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
Hands-on experience integrating and testing complex systems involving SDRs/RF components, embedded compute, networking, and mission software.
Proficiency in one or more of: Python, C/C++, React.js Vue.js, Java (additional languages a plus).
Experience with modern software practices and tooling (e.g., Git/GitLab, containerization such as Docker, CI/CD/DevSecOps, Agile).
Experience building or integrating APIs/services (e.g., REST) and working with Linux-based environments.
Must have an active Top Secret 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.
This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site.

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Computer), Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field with demonstrated experience in software development or hardware/software integration.
Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain and maintain SCI.
Strong grasp of systems engineering practices including requirements decomposition/traceability, test planning, and interface definition.
Demonstrated expertise troubleshooting across hardware/firmware/software/network/RF layers.
Experience with observability/logging platforms (e.g., ELK/Kibana) and field support for prototypes.
Experience with Army and Joint Wargame and concept development activities.
Active certifications including but not limited to: CISSP, CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA Project+.
Completion of the Army Space Control Planner Course, like Joint training program, or Academic courses focused on orbital RF systems.

Responsibilities

Provide technical and operational support to Army Space and Multi-Domain Operations related Concept and Doctrinal development activities.
Participate in field exercises, demonstrations, and sponsor engagements; capture results and drive technical closure of issues.
Coordinate across government and contractor teams supporting multiple Programs of Record (PoRs) and Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) efforts to identify integration opportunities, overlaps, and transition paths.
Provide mission relevant technical expertise to Army and Joint Senior Level Wargame and Analysis events to inform programming activities.
Lead system-level integration, verification, and validation of SDR-based EW/SIGINT mission systems.
Define and manage system architecture, interfaces, and data flows across compute platforms, RF front ends, storage, and networking.
Collaborate with software developers, RF engineers, systems integrators, and government stakeholders to deliver end-to-end capability on aggressive timelines.
Develop and maintain test plans, interface control documents (ICDs), verification procedures, and acceptance criteria for multi-component prototypes.
Perform root-cause analysis and troubleshooting across hardware, firmware, software, RF, and network layers; implement and verify corrective actions.
Produce technical recommendations and after-action reports; translate operational feedback into requirements, design updates, and backlog priorities.