Lead Software Engineer

MITRE; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 157,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a Software Engineer to modernize and transition software for Army Ground Combat Systems, collaborating with Army program offices and industry partners. The role spans software engineering, DevSecOps, cloud technologies, and embedded systems, guiding modernization from development to fielded solutions.

The successful candidate will work across architecture, testing, and deployment, serving as a trusted technical advisor while engaging with sponsors and program offices.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's, or a PhD with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally (approximately 25-50%) to sponsor locations including Detroit Arsenal in Warren, MI.
• Experience implementing DevSecOps principles and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience designing and developing software for embedded systems or software-intensive hardware platforms.
• Experience with cloud technologies (AWS and/or Azure), containerization, and Kubernetes, as well as modern software development workflows.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Government clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and transition modern software capabilities supporting Army Ground Combat Systems.
• Apply modern software engineering practices including Agile, DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing, and secure software delivery.
• Contribute to software architecture, code quality, testing, automation, observability, and developer experience improvements.
• Help government sponsors adopt modern engineering practices and software factory approaches.
• Support acquisition and digital transformation by aligning activities with iterative delivery and sustainment needs.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to Army sponsors and partners.
• Support technical reviews, integration, deployment planning, troubleshooting, and capability transitions.
• Contribute to modernization planning and technology transition across MITRE’s Ground Combat Systems portfolio.

Skills

DevSecOps

Cloud technologies

Kubernetes

Python

Go

Java

C#

C++

JavaScript

TypeScript

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Pulumi

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.

At MITRE you will leverage your background and experience to make a difference in tangible, impactful problems that face our nation. You’ll work on diverse projects that support our Government sponsors and benefit from numerous learning and growth opportunities.

Our workplace reflects our values. We want you to continue to grow your career at MITRE so that you can experience the gratifying work, our competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities, and a culture of innovation that embraces flexibility, collaboration, and career growth.

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE is seeking a Software Engineer to support the development, modernization, and transition of software-intensive Ground Combat Systems for Army sponsors including Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Ground and Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC). This role supports digital transformation efforts across combat vehicle platforms including XM30, self-propelled howitzer modernization, Common Ground Systems, and emerging software-defined capabilities, while working closely with Army program offices, engineering organizations, and industry partners to transition modern software capabilities into operational programs.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technical leaders driving modernization across software engineering, DevSecOps, cloud technologies, embedded systems, digital engineering, AI-enabled systems, and modern acquisition practices. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating across software development, systems engineering, customer engagement, and technical strategy while helping sponsors transition from traditional acquisition approaches to continuous software delivery.

Responsibilities may include:

• Design, develop, and transition modern software capabilities supporting Army Ground Combat Systems.
• Apply modern software engineering practices including Agile development, DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing, and secure software delivery.
• Contribute to software architecture, code quality, testing, automation, observability, and developer experience improvements.
• Help government sponsors adopt modern engineering practices, software factory approaches, and continuous software delivery models.
• Support acquisition and digital transformation efforts by aligning engineering activities with iterative delivery, transition, and sustainment needs.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to Army sponsors, program offices, and mission partners.
• Support technical reviews, integration activities, deployment planning, troubleshooting, and transition of capabilities into operational environments.
• Contribute to modernization planning, sponsor engagement, and technology transition across MITRE’s Ground Combat Systems portfolio.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years of relevant experience who can immediately contribute at this job step; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally (approximately 25-50%) to sponsor locations, including the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, MI, to support customer engagements, technical collaboration, and program activities.
• Experience implementing DevSecOps principles and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience designing and developing developing software for embedded systems or software-intensive hardware platforms.
• Experience with cloud technologies (AWS and/or Azure), containerization, and Kubernetes, as well as modern software development workflows
• Experience with one or more programming languages such as Python, Go, Java, C#, C++, JavaScript, or TypeScript.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to support work in classified environments as required.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Experience supporting Army modernization programs, particularly Ground Combat Systems, or GVSC organizations.
• Experience with embedded software, vehicle software architectures, or tactical systems.
• Experience implementing Platform Engineering and InternalDeveloper Platforms.
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform, Ansible, or Pulumi.
• Experience with software factory implementation and continuous Authority to Operate (cATO) practices.
• Experience applying Zero Trust, secure software supply chain, and software assurance principles.
• Familiarity with Digital Engineering, MBSE, or digital thread concepts.
• Experience with AI/ML, MLOps, or AI-enabled software development.
• Strong understanding of DoD software acquisition policy, software pathways, and modern software delivery practices.

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:

$156,800 - $196,000 - $235,200 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

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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