Technical Project Leader

Mitre Corporation; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 287,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a Technical Project Leader for the National Cybersecurity Federally Funded Research and Development Center (NCF) with expertise in Super Intelligence (SI) task oversight and management for NIST priorities. Lead diverse SI projects, build trusted sponsor relationships, and guide teams to deliver impactful R&D solutions aligned with sponsor objectives.

The role requires strong technical leadership, exceptional program management, and a willingness to work in a matrix organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s; 8 years with a Master’s; or 5 years with a PhD (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated technical breadth in SI technology; not an architect/developer role, but capable of delivering and leading projects.
• Strong project/program management and leadership track record.
• Proven innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Desire to expand knowledge/skills and take on responsibility.
• Deep knowledge of sponsor mission areas and strategic thinking.
• Eligible for Top Secret/SCI clearance (U.S. citizen).
• On-site presence required for at least 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the division’s primary leader for assigned SI sponsor engagement and program development/execution.
• Identify opportunities to assist sponsors with difficult problems and expand projects.
• Assess risks and opportunities to inform program strategies and investments.
• Own strategic planning, quality assurance of deliverables, contracts, budgeting and execution.
• Provide SI thought leadership and actively manage the technical work program.
• Collaborate with department managers and engineers to develop staff and teams.
• Coordinate with NCF leadership to track project execution and sponsor objectives.
• Build strategic relationships with industry and academia as needed.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Systems integration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD

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 is seeking a Technical Project Leader for the National Cybersecurity Federally Funded Research and Development Center (NCF) with expertise in Super Intelligence (SI) task oversight and management and NIST (and other Sponsor) priorities. This individual will drive execution and management for a diverse collection of ongoing SI related projects and facilitate the development of new SI related projects within the NCF to develop and deliver meaningful R&D solutions to real world problems. This is a growth position, requiring a highly motivated and self-starting individual who can manage the constant challenges of an expanding SI related work program supporting NIST’s mission. The candidate should be comfortable building trusted relationships with government sponsors and industry partners at all levels while leading a diverse team of technical and operational experts to deliver results against the division and sponsor objectives.

MITRE’s sponsors depend upon us to deliver on their missions, and the successful candidate will be at the forefront of that charge. This position requires technical program level understanding of the SI technologies while also demonstrating sufficient business and financial acumen to successfully deliver innovations that bring value to the Nation.

The NCF, sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is focused on the development and implementation of best practices and technological advancements for critical and emerging technology areas. The Technical Project Leader is expected to work across MITRE to shape and deliver high impact, quality outcomes, to staff projects with best available talent, and initiate activities that result in execution excellence and the creation of new opportunities for our sponsors to leverage MITRE’s capabilities.

All Project Leader positions at MITRE require strong technical leadership with excellent project management and interpersonal skills to deliver sponsor mission outcomes that exceed sponsor expectations, on time and within budget. Operating across a matrix organization, the successful candidate will work closely with the NCF Department Managers and MITRE Labs to identify and select task leads and technical team members and ensure delivery of high-quality technical products. This is a complex and rewarding technical work program with high visibility across MITRE and our sponsors.

Roles & Responsibilities

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Serve as the division’s primary leader for assigned SI-related sponsor engagement and work program development/execution.
• Be responsible for identifying opportunities to help the sponsors with difficult problems, shape new tasks within the project, and expand the project to incorporate the breadth of MITRE capabilities to the benefit of the mission.
• Assess technical risks and opportunities that inform the sponsors’ program strategies and investment decisions.
• Own the areas of strategic planning, quality assurance of deliverables, contract administration, financial planning and budgeting, and project execution and documentation.
• Provide strong SI thought leadership and technical acumen to actively contribute to and manage technical work program.
• Collaborate with the Department Managers, Chief Engineers, and other MITRE resources to help build and maintain the work program while developing technically proficient staff within the department and division.
• Work with NCF leadership functions (contracts, finance, operations) to track and ensure execution of the projects that meet and exceed sponsor objectives.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry and academia as required by the projects being led.

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.
• Demonstrated technical breadth in SI technology. This is not an architect or developer role. However, an SI technologist with experience running projects or programs with accountability for delivery and budget are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated record of strong project/program management and leadership skills.
• Track record of innovative thinking.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Motivation to expand knowledge/skills and assume responsibility.
• Depth of knowledge in sponsor mission area.
• Strong strategic thinking skills.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI 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 3 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current experience delivering projects and programs that employ SI technology to solve real-world problems in an accelerated way, including with a solid understanding of where the technology is going and where there will likely be gaps in industry development.
• MS or PhD in SI, computer science, engineering.
• Strong relationships or connections with SI industry leaders and forward leaning organizations adopting SI technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work with sponsors at a senior level to identify key technical problems and opportunities to accelerate AI adoption and impact.

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):

Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$191,200 - $239,000 - $286,800 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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