Demo

MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer (MDA)

Mission Driven Research, Inc
Huntsville, AL Full Time
POSTED ON 4/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/10/2026
MDR is seeking an MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer to join our team! In this role you will support the Missile Defense Agency's Architecture Design & Development (MDA/CAL) office working to develop future Missile Defense architectures addressing ballistic and hypersonic missile threats to protect the homeland, regional Warfighters, and allies. As contract support, you will also be responsible for strategic planning, gap analysis, evaluating emerging technologies, creating digital architecture roadmaps, and defining top-level architecture requirement packages.

Job Description (What You'll Be Doing)

  • Develop and coordinate comprehensive missile defense courses of action (COA) for future architectures to defeat evolving threats.
  • Prepare and deliver briefings in support of requirements packages.
  • Assist with identifying, defining, and prioritizing missile defense architecture gaps, challenges, needs, opportunities, and potential system mitigations.
  • Develop missile defense Blue Force and Red Force laydowns as well as intel-informed raid scenarios using a pacing threat set.
  • Develop measures of effectiveness and architecture needs statements and coordinate iterative analysis on these architectures.
  • Analyze and document performance of architecture options and future concepts implemented in these scenarios.
  • Assist in the development of top-level architecture needs documentation to support requirements development as well the acquisition of new capabilities and prototypes.
  • Develop and review technical memorandums, white papers, and briefings supporting findings and conclusions of analyses.
  • Support working groups and technical interchange meetings to coordinate across the community a variety of topics to include: Future concepts, architecture needs, and data exchange.
  • Provide regular input in support of government leadership to reports and weekly charts involving task status, action item tracking, risks, and schedule.

Required Skills (What Required Skills You Bring)

  • Master's degree in a STEM-related field
  • Minimum of 12 years working on missile defense-related or other complex, large DoD programs/projects
  • Possess detailed knowledge of the Missile Defense System including Command and Control networks
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Word, Excel, & PowerPoint)
  • Able to work independently and/or lead teams to analyze and resolve problems
  • Able to plan and execute projects involving prime contractors, other MDA offices, and FFRDC/UARC partners.
  • Capable of supporting the evaluation of future architecture elements and technology enablers that support ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missile defense.

Preferred Skills (Desired But Not Required)

  • Working knowledge of Missile Defense Systems (MDS) components, architectures, and concepts, with demonstrated understanding through analysis activities; Ground Test or Flight Test analysis experience is preferred
  • Familiarity and past experience with MDA and/or other complex MDS Elements
  • Working knowledge of Systems Engineering processes including Model-Based Systems Engineering and Digital Engineering strategies
  • Experience with Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) processes or related activities where cost, performance, and/or risk trade-offs were made to support engineering decisions
  • Work independently, applying engineering rigor to analyze and resolve problems within a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Ability to self-manage and initiate within team structure
  • Ability to decompose complex problems into actionable elements
  • Ability to coordinate efforts in a timely manner across multiple organizations
  • Ability to present complex information and concepts to leaders at various levels

Position Requirements

  • Clearance Required
    • Secret
  • Position Level
    • Principal
  • FT/PT
    • Full Time
  • Years Related Work Experience
    • 12
  • Education Level Required
    • Master's
Mission Driven Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you are interested in applying for employment with Mission Driven Research and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, please contact us by email (hr@missiondrivenresearch.com) or by phone by calling (256) 299-9288. When contacting us, please provide your contact information and state the nature of your accessibility issue.

Job Posted by ApplicantPro

Salary.com Estimation for MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer (MDA) in Huntsville, AL
$228,110 to $279,723
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer (MDA)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer (MDA) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$89,966 - $112,616
Income Estimation: 
$118,163 - $145,996
Income Estimation: 
$120,777 - $151,022
Income Estimation: 
$129,363 - $167,316
Income Estimation: 
$86,891 - $130,303
Income Estimation: 
$242,530 - $287,120
Income Estimation: 
$150,467 - $192,499
Income Estimation: 
$149,289 - $190,988
Income Estimation: 
$97,457 - $126,589
Income Estimation: 
$176,972 - $219,172
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Mission Driven Research, Inc

  • Mission Driven Research, Inc Huntsville, AL
  • MDR is looking for an amazingly talented Senior MBSE Systems Engineer to join our team! In this role you will provide senior technical and advisory assista... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Mission Driven Research, Inc Huntsville, AL
  • MDR is looking for an amazingly talented Senior Missile System Structural Engineer to join our Huntsville team. In this role you will be providing Systems ... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • Mission Driven Research, Inc Huntsville, AL
  • MDR is looking for an amazingly talented C3BM Technology Protection Principle Systems Engineer to join our team! In this role you will be part of Command, ... more
  • 6 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer (MDA) jobs in the Huntsville, AL area that may be a better fit.

  • Canvas Huntsville, AL
  • Job Title: Missile Defense Systems (MDS)Strategic Architecture Engineer Location: Huntsville, AL, United States Canvas provides engineering services and te... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Chenega MIOS Huntsville, AL
  • Req ID: 40098 Summary MDS Strategic Architecture Engineer Redstone Arsenal, AL Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career in a rapidly evol... more
  • 2 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!