Associate Cognitive Systems Engineer (Contingent Position)

Mile Two, LLC; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mile 2, LLC is seeking a Cognitive Systems Engineer to analyze and improve complex human-machine environments for defense-related projects in Dayton, OH. You will bridge advanced data tools with human workflows to reduce cognitive friction and improve decision accuracy.

The role emphasizes applying cognitive systems engineering, task analysis, and knowledge elicitation, while collaborating with DoD-aligned teams and stakeholders to deliver actionable insights.

Qualifications

• Eligibility: Ability to obtain a Security Clearance at Secret level.
• Location: Dayton, OH HQ and Wright Patterson AFB as needed.
• Experience: 1 year as Cognitive Systems Engineer, Human Factors Engineer, Engineering Psychologist, or related role.
• Core specialty: Foundational CSE, data collection methods, and analytical techniques.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize complex, human-centric technical environments.
• Bridge complex tools with human workflows to improve adoption and decision-making.
• Use CSE to analyze usability across systems and platforms.
• Lead projects or act as investigator on multi-disciplinary initiatives.
• Deliver CSE reports and actionable recommendations to mitigate cognitive load.

Skills

Cognitive Systems Engineering

CTA / Task Analysis

Knowledge Elicitation

Work Domain Analysis

Communication with Stakeholders

Job description

Description

THIS ROLE IS CONTINGENT UPON MILE 2 BEING AWARDED A RELEVANT CONTRACT.

Join Our Innovative Team at Mile 2!

Are you into solving tough problems and building cool tech? Do you thrive in a team where your ideas are heard and your creativity is encouraged? If you're nodding along, Mile 2 might be the place for you.

We're all about creating advanced solutions that really make a difference for our government partners. Our team uses the latest technologies to make a tangible impact, creating seamless integrations between human expertise and machine capabilities to tackle complex challenges.

Our core values guide everything we do: Supported Autonomy: We trust you to take initiative and make decisions, but we've always got your back. Humble Expertise: We respect everyone's knowledge and skills, creating an environment where we can all learn and get better together. Success is a Team Effort: We believe that we can only achieve great things when we work as a team. Tangible Results: We're motivated by the desire to create real, measurable impacts through our work.

When you join us, you'll work on meaningful projects that challenge you and help you grow. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment, competitive benefits, and plenty of opportunities to advance your career.

Defense Work

This role supports U.S. Department of Defense customers. Employees may be assigned to different projects over time, including projects involving defense operations.

Our Approach to AI in Hiring

At Mile 2, applications are reviewed by real people—not filtered out by bots. Authenticity matters more than keyword tricks.

We know you're probably using AI tools to help draft or polish your resumes, and that’s fine! We're using AI to write this blurb about AI! But we expect you to make it your own. Resumes that feel copy-pasted —repetitive, oddly phrased, “too perfect” matches to our job description— may hurt your chances. Adding personal touches and real examples of your work will make your application stronger.

The use of AI tools or other external assistance during interviews is not permitted.

We look forward to meeting the real you!

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mile Two Cognitive Systems Engineers must analyze and optimize complex, fast-moving, and human-centric technical environments. Our core mission is to bridge complex technical tools with human workflows, ensuring that the organizations we work with can seamlessly adopt and leverage advanced data and software tools to make better decisions. We do this by utilizing a multidisciplinary, human-machine systems approach to eliminate operational friction and context-switching bottlenecks. Our Cognitive Systems Engineers ensure we achieve our mission by utilizing their skills to:

• Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE) Approach: Applies a CSE methodology to analyze and optimize human-system interaction, workflow integration, and usability across complex sociotechnical systems and platforms.
• Knowledge Elicitation and Task Analysis: Executes Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA), structured subject matter expert interviews, and Knowledge Elicitation (KE) sessions to capture cognitive ground truth and operational friction points.
• Work Domain and Systems Modeling: Develops Abstraction Hierarchies, Work Domain Analysis (WDA), and decision-support architectures to define complex operational workflows and data boundaries.
• Project Leadership and Technical Oversight: Serves as project leads or investigator on multi-disciplinary initiatives, driving technical execution, research integrity, and strategic alignment with stakeholders.
• Actionable Recommendations and Reporting: Delivers comprehensive CSE systems reports and actionable recommendations to enhance situational awareness, mitigate cognitive overload, and improve decision-making timeliness in high-stakes environments.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Eligibility: Ability to obtain a Security Clearance at Secret level, USG CAC, NIPR Access
• Location: Must be able to work from Mile 2 headquarters in Dayton, OH as well as Wright Patterson AFB as needed.
• Experience: 1 year of professional experience as a Cognitive Systems Engineer, Human Factors Engineer, Engineering Psychologist, or in a closely related technical/operational role.
• Core Specialty: Foundational background in Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE), data collection methods, and analytical techniques. Proven ability to map complex mental models, assess cognitive workload, and analyze context-switching friction.
• Product & Training Strategy: Experience bridging the gap between highly technical product development teams and non‑technical end‑users (determining where marketing, training, or workflow redesign is needed).
• Consultative & Communication Skills: Strong communication skills with the ability to embed with client stakeholders, manage operational expectations, and proactively work projects without heavy supervision.
• Defense/Federal Space Familiarity: Familiarity with the Department of Defense (DoD), specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) or similar scientific/research defense environments is highly preferred.
• Leadership: Effectively communicate orally and in written documentation up, down, and laterally across the organization and to external stakeholders.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Defense Sector Experience: Prior experience working within or supporting DoD clients, specifically USAF or similar military scientific and research environments.
• AI & Advanced Tool Ecosystems: Familiarity with or exposure to emerging artificial intelligence toolsets, large language model interfaces, or modern defense data environments (e.g., Genai.mil Agents, Envision, or equivalent platforms).
• Technical Skills: Advanced degree in CSE, Human Factors, Engineering Psychology or a closely related field. Experience with technical writing.
• Cross-Functional Agile Collaboration: Experience working within an integrated digital enablement ecosystem alongside distinct project spokes like technical training/upskilling pipelines and specialized AI development teams.

A Note About Our Application Process

Please answer our screener questions honestly and thoroughly (rather than writing “see resume”). These are reviewed by real people—not bots—and play an important role in our selection process. Thoughtful responses will strengthen your application.