Lead Autonomous Systems Engineer

MITRE; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 261,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE in Bedford, MA seeks a senior autonomy/AI leader to drive research and deployment across defense, healthcare, and public-interest programs. You will guide cross-functional teams, shape autonomy strategy, and ensure rigorous evaluation of AI systems while navigating DoD security requirements and on-site collaboration three days per week.

The role requires advanced degrees, strong sponsor communication, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of autonomy and AI experience with a relevant degree; or 6 years with a Master’s; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience.
• Broad understanding of autonomous systems across multiple domains and a track record of leadership.
• Ability to articulate autonomy challenges and engage sponsors or stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams evaluating and improving autonomous systems performance.
• Maintain knowledge of advances in autonomy and robotics capabilities.
• Leverage expertise to evaluate and improve AI/Autonomy system performance.
• Provide thought leadership on autonomy/AI adoption for robotics hardware and cloud environments.
• Evaluate autonomy or AI solutions and guide sponsors based on requirements.
• Work on robotics-relevant topics: computer vision, deep learning, ML, planning, HMI, multi-robot systems.
• Build capabilities in growth areas for Autonomous Systems (e.g., healthcare, space robotics).
• Help define and execute strategy around enabling high-consequence autonomy applications with assurance and testing.

Skills

Autonomy leadership

AI expertise

Robotics

Communication

Team leadership

Independent learner

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree

PhD with 3+ years experience

Tools

ROS 2

Docker

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies - collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose - and help shape the future.

The Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Department works to enable effective and safe adoption of embodied AI solutions for the most critical challenges. Our technical team of experts, developers, and strategists are helping to realize the benefits autonomy will bring across various sectors including defense, healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement. We bring our unique and unbiased understanding of missions, the innovation landscape, and technology to focus in areas where industry is not incentivized or able to operate to bring insights and solutions to MITRE's sponsors and partners.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams evaluating and improving the performance of autonomous systems
• Maintain knowledge of advances of autonomy and robotics capabilities
• Leverage technical expertise to evaluate and improve AI/Autonomy system performance
• Provide thought leadership centered around autonomy/AI technology adoption on robotics hardware and cloud-based computing environments
• Evaluate autonomy or AI solutions and provide guidance to sponsors based on their requirements
• Work on topics in robotics-relevant fields, such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, planning, human machine teaming, and multi-robot systems
• Build capabilities in one or more growth area for Autonomous Systems (e.g., maritime autonomy, healthcare robotics, space robotics)
• Help department and division define and execute strategy around enabling high-consequence applications of Autonomy, including necessary assurance, T&E, and societal implications

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of experience in Autonomy and AI with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of autonomy-related education and work experience
• Broad understanding of autonomous systems across multiple domains (Department of War, Services, Intelligence Community, DHS, industry, and academia)
• Deep experience in one or more robotics-relevant fields such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, control theory, human-machine teaming, or multi-robot systems
• Ability to clearly articulate autonomy-specific challenges (perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration), understand real-world application constraints, discuss critical issues, and identify capability gaps
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art autonomy research and tools, including ROS 2 and Docker
• Proven ability to work independently to rapidly learn new technologies, techniques, processes, languages, platforms, and systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to shape and define work in collaboration with sponsors or stakeholders, even in the absence of fully defined requirements
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including leading teams, developing, and managing schedules, communicating risks, and managing budgets
• Experience developing, proposing, and executing autonomy-focused research initiatives
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret clearance within 12 months from the date of hire
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
• Experience with software development in a production setting
• Knowledge of advances of Autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia
• Domain knowledge of swarming systems, red teaming, counter UxS, robotic test and evaluation, agentic AI, manufacturing robotics, and/or missile defense
• Experience with configuring and writing software for open-source flight controllers (ArduPilot, PX4. Mission Planner, QGroundControl, etc)
• Experience with rapid prototyping, including fabrication and electronics
• Experience with field testing autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systems
• Knowledge and/or experience with edge computing, C-SWAP (compute, size, weight, and power) platforms, and/or surrogate or scaled platforms
• Work and/or leadership of teams to implement and evaluate AI and Autonomy algorithms
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$174,000 - $217,500 - $261,000 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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