Autonomy & AI Strategy Lead

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 287,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a senior leader to guide autonomous systems and AI initiatives across government mission areas. You will shape strategies, evaluate technologies, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact solutions.

The role requires deep expertise in autonomy, AI, and cybersecurity with a focus on safety, policy, and operational effectiveness. On-site work is required three days per week at our McLean, VA location.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience in Autonomy and AI with degree, or 8 years with a Master’s, or 5 years with a PhD, or equivalent autonomy-related education/work
• Demonstrated experience with autonomous systems, AI-enabled systems, or robotics across the capability lifecycle
• Experience with autonomous platforms operating in air, ground, maritime, or space domains
• Broad understanding of autonomous systems across multiple domains (DoD, Services, IC, DHS, transportation, industry, academia)
• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication, ability to translate jargon for sponsors and stakeholders
• Applied expertise in counter autonomy (e.g., cUAS) and/or cybersecurity for autonomous systems
• Ability to translate complex concepts into strategic recommendations
• Experience shaping work with sponsors even with incomplete requirements
• Demonstrated leadership skills in teams, schedules, risks, and budgets
• Experience developing autonomy-focused research initiatives
• U.S. Citizen eligible for Secret clearance; must be able to obtain/maintain clearance
• On-site work requirement: minimum 3 days per week

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives advancing autonomous systems development, acquisition, integration, and deployment across government missions
• Define and execute strategy for high-consequence autonomy applications, including assurance, test, and sociotechnical implications
• Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams to evaluate and improve autonomous systems
• Maintain knowledge of autonomy/robotics advances to help sponsors adopt emerging tech
• Engage sponsors, industry partners, and internal leadership on strategic and policy considerations
• Translate AI/autonomy tech into operational capabilities aligned with acquisition and governance
• Assess technologies and proposals for mission alignment, feasibility, and operational capability
• Collaborate with engineers, researchers, operators, and program managers on innovative sponsor solutions

Skills

Autonomy

AI

Leadership

Technical writing

Communication

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Job description

MITRE is seeking a senior leader to guide autonomous systems and AI initiatives across government mission areas. You will shape strategies, evaluate technologies, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact solutions.

The role requires deep expertise in autonomy, AI, and cybersecurity with a focus on safety, policy, and operational effectiveness. On-site work is required three days per week at our McLean, VA location.