Lead Cyber Ops Engineer (Python) — Onsite in McLean

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE in McLean, Virginia, seeks an experienced Python developer to lead technical development for digital investigations. You will design, build, test, and maintain Python-based applications and analytical tools, while engaging sponsor stakeholders.

This on-site role requires strong problem solving, mentorship, and the ability to translate mission needs into practical solutions; candidates must have active TS clearance and be able to work closely with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Strong software development experience using Python, including debugging, testing, and maintaining non-trivial software or analytical capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex technical problems and make sound technical design and implementation decisions.
• Experience leading the technical direction of a project, task, capability, or significant body of work.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance, mentorship, or review of work performed by other engineers or analysts.
• Experience translating user or mission needs into technical requirements and working solutions.
• Strong understanding of software engineering practices, including version control, testing, documentation, code review, and maintainable software design.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary technical teams and directly with sponsor or customer stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in an environment where requirements may be incomplete, evolving, or operationally driven.
• Position is based in the McLean, Virginia area and requires regular on-site work at the sponsor location.
• Access to a vehicle is required to support work at the sponsor site and associated local mission activities.
• Must have an active Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance and must be eligible to obtain and maintain a 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 4 days a week on-site.

Responsibilities

• Lead Technical Development: Design, develop, test, and maintain Python-based applications, analytical tools, automation, and data-processing capabilities supporting digital investigations and related mission needs.
• Set Technical Direction: Translate complex or ambiguous sponsor problems into technical approaches, make architecture and implementation decisions, and help establish the direction of work performed by other team members.
• Remain Hands-On: Personally develop and review production-quality Python code while contributing to troubleshooting, debugging, integration, testing, and deployment activities.
• Solve Complex Technical Problems: Analyze difficult technical and mission challenges, evaluate possible solutions, and apply sound engineering judgment to develop practical and innovative approaches.
• Work Directly with Sponsors: Build a strong understanding of sponsor workflows, priorities, constraints, and operational needs and use that understanding to shape technical solutions.
• Guide and Elevate the Team: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to more junior staff, conduct code and design reviews, share technical knowledge, and help improve the quality and effectiveness of the team's work.
• Build Sustainable Capability: Develop reusable tools, libraries, workflows, documentation, and engineering practices that improve work beyond an individual task or project.
• Connect Across Disciplines: Collaborate with investigators, analysts, data scientists, engineers, and other technical experts to integrate capabilities and solve multidisciplinary problems.
• Communicate Technical Concepts: Explain complex technical issues, design decisions, risks, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Evaluate Technologies and Approaches: Assess existing and emerging software, data sources, platforms, and analytical techniques and identify opportunities to improve investigative capabilities and mission outcomes.

Skills

Python

Leadership

Mentorship

Technical direction

Stakeholder interaction

Data analysis

Linux

Git

API design

Tools

pandas

NumPy

SQLAlchemy

FastAPI

Flask

Git workflows

Job description

MITRE in McLean, Virginia, seeks an experienced Python developer to lead technical development for digital investigations. You will design, build, test, and maintain Python-based applications and analytical tools, while engaging sponsor stakeholders.

This on-site role requires strong problem solving, mentorship, and the ability to translate mission needs into practical solutions; candidates must have active TS clearance and be able to work closely with multidisciplinary teams.