Principal SIGINT Ground Systems Engineer

MITRE; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 244,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE’s National Space Program seeks a Principal SIGINT Ground Systems Engineer to drive innovative solutions and provide evidence-based recommendations for the Intelligence Community. The role requires translating mission needs into executable system concepts and architectures across stakeholders.

You will lead design activities, perform analyses, and advise on roadmaps, acquisition strategies, and technical approaches. On-site work five days a week is required for this role.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience with advanced degrees or equivalent.
• Degree in physics, applied mathematics, aerospace, software engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience modeling, simulating, and analyzing space systems.
• Understanding of space physics and engineering concepts (orbital mechanics, satellite ops).
• Familiarity with AI/ML advancements for DoD/IC challenges.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture and MBSE concepts/tools.
• Ability to frame analytical questions for modeling, simulation, and prototyping.
• Experience communicating complex studies to senior decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Apply systems engineering across the lifecycle: analysis, design, integration, deployment planning.
• Translate mission needs into system concepts, architectures, and roadmaps.
• Develop and refine architectures: logical/physical interfaces, data flows, components.
• Conduct trade analyses, gap assessments, and technology insertion opportunities.
• Advise sponsors on capabilities, priorities, and acquisition strategies.
• Assist with SOW/SOO development, market research, and evaluations.
• Mentor junior staff to strengthen team capabilities.

Skills

Systems engineering

MBSE concepts

Architectures & roadmaps

Stakeholder liaison

Acquisition guidance

Education

Physics / Applied mathematics / Aerospace / Software 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.

MITRE’s National Space Program brings together leading technical talent and deep mission expertise to help shape the future of space operations. We partner with organizations across the space enterprise to design, deliver, and advance next-generation capabilities that strengthen national security and support critical civil and defense missions. Through systems engineering, advanced analytics, and mission-focused research, our teams solve complex challenges, reduce risk, and accelerate innovation across the full space life cycle.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The MITRE National Space Program is looking for a Principal SIGINT Ground Systems Engineer who wants to drive innovative solutions, thought leadership, and evidence-based recommendations so the Intelligence Community (IC) can deliver the benefits and services to our Mission Partners. The role requires the ability to work across technical, operational, acquisition, and programmatic stakeholders to translate mission needs into executable system concepts, architectures, requirements, roadmaps, integration plans, acquisition artifacts, and engineering recommendations. The selected candidate will be expected to:

• Apply systems engineering principles across the system development lifecycle, including mission analysis, concept development, system design, architecture definition, requirements development, integration, verification, validation, deployment planning, and technical transition
• Lead or support system design and architecture activities by translating sponsor mission needs, operational constraints, and capability gaps into system concepts, functional designs, technical approaches, and implementation options
• Develop, assess, and refine system architectures for complex mission systems, including operational views, functional architectures, logical and physical architectures, interfaces, data flows, dependencies, and integration points
• Conduct engineering studies, trade analyses, and gap assessments to evaluate current-state systems, operational processes, technology limitations, interoperability challenges, and opportunities to improve mission outcomes
• Advise government sponsors and program managers on mission context, capability needs, technical priorities, system roadmaps, technology insertion opportunities, acquisition strategies, and engineering approaches that support program objectives
• Support acquisition planning and execution by contributing to Statements of Work, Statements of Objectives, Performance Work Statements, market research, acquisition strategies, evaluation criteria, technical evaluation plans, source selection documentation, and vendor assessments
• Serve as a mentor to junior staff by providing guidance, feedback, and knowledge‑sharing to support their professional growth and strengthen team capabilities

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Typically requires a degree in physics, applied mathematics, aerospace, software development for engineering/physical systems, mechanical engineering, or related discipline and work experience with a strong technical background.
• Demonstrated experience with modeling, simulation, and analysis of space systems and space‑related operations.
• Understanding of space‑related physics and engineering concepts, for example, orbital mechanics, satellite propagation, space‑based ISR, satellite communications, space domain awareness, etc.
• Familiarity with latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and how techniques can be applied to DoD and IC challenges.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture.
• Knowledge of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts, tools, processes, and techniques.
• Ability to proactively formulate key analytical questions to drive modeling, simulation, experimentation, and prototyping.
• Proficiency in DoD and IC space sponsors and their role in the development, acquisition, and operational lifecycle and the ability to work across to achieve higher level strategic objectives.
• Experience with understanding & presenting technical studies to senior decision‑makers to drive action and outcomes.
• Must have an active Top Secret/SCI/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 requires a minimum of 5 days a week on‑site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD with research experience in one of the above specified degree programs
• Knowledge of intelligence operations, the intelligence lifecycle, and intelligence systems
• Experience developing or applying systems architecture frameworks, architecture views, interface models, operational models, or enterprise architecture products
• Experience advising the federal government on acquisition lifecycle activities, including SOW/SOO development, market research, acquisition planning, technical evaluations, source selection support, or adoption of innovative acquisition approaches
• Experience with digital engineering, mission engineering, enterprise architecture, software‑intensive systems, cloud‑based systems, data platforms, cybersecurity, or command‑and‑control systems

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):

Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 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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