Principal Systems Engineer

The MITRE Corporation • Aberdeen, MD

1d • $162,400 - $243,600 • Onsite

About The Position

MITRE Technology and Engineering’s Systems Engineering Division delivers innovative, multidisciplinary systems engineering solutions that address complex national security challenges and advance mission outcomes for sponsors across the federal government. The division serves as a center of excellence in systems engineering, bringing together expertise from across MITRE and collaborating with government, industry, and academia to develop and apply next-generation engineering approaches.
Core technical capabilities include:
Mission, Enterprise, and Domain Engineering
Systems Engineering, Architecting, and Lifecycle Integration
Digital Engineering, Prototyping, and Modernization
Architecture, Interfaces, and Open Systems
Performance Analysis, Test, and Evaluation
AI-Enabled Systems Engineering
The division applies these capabilities across sponsors and mission domains to accelerate innovation, integrate lessons learned, and strengthen MITRE’s ability to deliver objective, mission-focused engineering solutions.

Requirements

• 10+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; 8+ years with a Master's degree; or a PhD with relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated technical leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Expertise in Systems Architecture, Mission Engineering, Digital Engineering, Systems-of-Systems Engineering, Modeling & Simulation, or Operational Planning.
• Experience with C2 and communications architectures and mission-level trade studies.
• Ability to assess mission effectiveness, cost-performance tradeoffs, and technical risk.
• Experience collaborating with operational users, government stakeholders, industry, and technical teams.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and translate technical findings into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD 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 4 days a week on-site

Nice To Haves

• Active SECRET or TS/SCI clearance.
• Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Expertise in mission, systems, or enterprise architecture.
• Experience with Army modernization, mission engineering, operational analysis, C2, or communications systems.
• Proficiency with MBSE and Digital Engineering tools (e.g., Cameo, SysML, DOORS, Rhapsody).
• Experience with quantitative analysis, modeling and simulation, and data analytics.
• Experience leading complex, multidisciplinary technical efforts.
• Demonstrated technical innovation, research, publications, or prototype development.
• Established trusted advisor relationships with senior government leaders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical leader supporting Army sponsors in the development of mission architectures, operational concepts, and systems-of-systems solutions that address critical warfighting challenges.
• Work collaboratively across the Systems Engineering Division and broader MITRE enterprise to integrate diverse technical expertise, align engineering efforts to Army priorities, and deliver mission-driven recommendations that inform strategic investment and acquisition decisions.
• Partner with Army sponsors to define, shape, and execute high-priority mission engineering, architecture development, and capability assessment activities that address operational needs and emerging mission challenges.
• Collaborate across the Systems Engineering Division and MITRE technical community to integrate expertise in systems engineering, digital engineering, modeling and simulation, communications, data analytics, and operational analysis to support Army mission outcomes.
• Lead the development and evaluation of mission architectures, operational concepts, and system-of-systems solutions using mission engineering, MBSE, digital engineering, and quantitative analysis techniques.
• Assess capability gaps, mission effectiveness, operational risks, and technical tradeoffs, translating complex analyses into actionable recommendations for senior government decision-makers.
• Evaluate alternative architectures and investment strategies through qualitative and quantitative analysis, including assessment of cost, performance, interoperability, resiliency, and operational effectiveness.
• Identify critical technical risks, uncertainties, and dependencies, and lead rapid experimentation, prototyping, and risk-reduction efforts to inform technology, architecture, and acquisition decisions.
• Provide technical leadership for requirements management, architecture development, interface management, integration planning, modernization activities, and test and evaluation efforts.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers and analysts, fostering collaboration, mentoring staff, and ensuring delivery of high-quality, mission-focused products.
• Build trusted advisor relationships with Army leaders, operational users, industry partners, and MITRE leadership to influence mission outcomes and shape future technical work.
• Contribute to the growth of MITRE’s systems engineering capabilities through innovation, technical leadership, knowledge sharing, and development of new sponsor opportunities.

Benefits

• competitive benefits
• exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth
• a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership

What This Job Offers

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