Lead Space Systems Engineer

MITRE; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

The MITRE Corporation is seeking a Lead Space System Engineer to support the NRO XSPO, guiding technical vision and integration of space, ground, and data capabilities to strengthen national security. You will shape architecture development, evaluate emerging technologies, and drive transition for operational use.

This on-site role in Chantilly, VA requires an active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph clearance and strong collaboration with government, industry, and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s; or 3 years with a PhD in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience in space systems engineering including architecture, design, and analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to explain complex concepts to customers and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to XSPO Technical Director and shape the scope of AS&T’s mission-support work.
• Define and execute objectives based on sponsor priorities for architecture development, risk reduction, and transition to operations.
• Translate strategy into actionable outcomes, deliverables, and engineering recommendations across space, ground, data, and communications.

Skills

Leadership

Systems Engineering

Space Systems

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Systems Engineering

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.

Department Summary

The Systems and Operations Department (L626) within MITRE's Systems Engineering Division in the Center for Engineering and Analysis delivers mission-focused solutions through multidisciplinary systems engineering. Its work spans mission integration, lifecycle systems engineering, and acquisition systems engineering, helping government sponsors improve complex systems and operational mission effectiveness.

Roles & Responsibilities

MITRE is seeking a technically exceptional Lead Space System Engineer to support the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Advanced Systems & Technology Directorate (AS&T) Accelerate System Program Office (XSPO). AS&T serves as a key engine for the NRO’s future capabilities, advancing the research, prototyping, experimentation, and transition of breakthrough technologies that shape the next generation of overhead reconnaissance and intelligence systems. A Lead supporting AS&T/XSPO execution will help guide the technical vision, development strategy, and integration of advanced space, ground, and data capabilities that strengthen the NRO’s long-term mission advantage. This includes driving innovation across future architectures, accelerating the maturation of emerging technologies, and aligning technical investments to meet evolving national security and intelligence needs.

• Provide strategic and technical guidance as a trusted advisor to the XSPO Technical Director and help shape the full scope of work supporting AS&T’s publicly recognized mission of advancing next-generation overhead intelligence capabilities through research, prototyping, experimentation, and technology transition
• Define and execute technical objectives based on sponsor priorities and mission outcomes, with emphasis on areas where MITRE can provide high-value support to future architecture development, advanced concept evaluation, risk reduction, acquisition, and the maturation of emerging technologies for operational transition
• Translate overall project strategy into clear, actionable outcomes, deliverables, technical assessments, architecture products, and engineering recommendations that support AS&T’s role in shaping future space, ground, communications, and data capabilities
• Identify and integrate relevant research, innovation, and experimentation from across MITRE, including internal research and development programs, to strengthen sponsor decision-making in areas such as advanced sensors, resilient architectures, autonomy, AI/ML-enabled mission applications, data exploitation, and other mission-enabling technologies associated with XSPO’s innovation portfolio
• Support the assessment of emerging technologies and mission concepts by leading studies, trade analyses, technical evaluations, and prototype-informed recommendations that help determine feasibility, mission utility, architectural compatibility, and transition potential
• Collaborate with Government officials, FFRDC’s, support contractors and industry to determine future technology development within determined budgets and schedules.

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’ experience or equivalent combination of related education and work experience in a relevant engineering discipline (Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.), Computer Science, or related technical field.
• Experience in all aspects of space systems engineering, including architecture, engineering design, and engineering analysis.
• Knowledge of core space system segments (space, ground, transport, launch, etc.) at the enterprise, SoS, system, and subsystem levels.
• Ability to clearly explain complex concepts to customers and fellow employees.
• A self-starter able to provide independent evaluation and analysis of emerging sensor technologies and spearhead new efforts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Possess strong organizational, time management and project management skills.
• Ability to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing program office sponsor and customer needs.
• Problem-solving, analytical, and innovation mindset.
• Must have an active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph 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 has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters of Science or Ph.D. degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Aerospace Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.), Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• Knowledge of various sensor types with ability to evaluate and make recommendations to implement new technologies.

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

Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

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

Not Applicable

Salary compensation range and midpoint

$146,400 - $183,000 - $219,600 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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