Demo

Cybersecurity AI Lead

MITRE
Gaithersburg, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 8/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/19/2026
Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us.

MITRE is seeking a Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lead for the National Cybersecurity Federally Funded Research and Development Center (NCF) with expertise in Cybersecurity and AI, deep understanding of the current state of AI/ML technology and its intersections/impact to Cybersecurity, experience leveraging AI for Cybersecurity, and barriers facing broader AI adoption. This position requires a highly motivated and self-starting individual who can manage the constant challenges of an expanding Cybersecurity and AI related work program supporting a critical and evolving sponsor mission. The candidate should be comfortable interacting and build 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.

The NCF, sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), focuses on the development and implementation of best practices and technological advancements for critical and emerging technology areas. This Cybersecurity AI Lead in coordination will strive to bring MITRE internal research and platforms to the programs to ensure the solutions offered by the projects will have the greatest technical impact on the sponsors’ most difficult problems. The Cybersecurity AI Lead is expected to establish external and internal partnerships to foster collaboration towards solving a wide range of technically challenging problems. The Cybersecurity AI Lead will also oversee the NCCoE AI Pillar which includes all active and proposed Cybersecurity AI research.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lead will be responsible for leading and/or contributing to one or more concurrent MITRE efforts delivering Cybersecurity and AI expertise to our Sponsor. This role is an AI-thought leader with deep knowledge about the current state-of-the-art technology and challenges, and vision about the future of the industry.

As a Cybersecurity AI Lead, expect to be responsible for the following activities given the specific project:

  • Serve as a leader for AI related sponsor engagement and work program development/execution.
  • Identify opportunities to help the sponsors with difficult problems, shape new projects within the program, and expand the program to incorporate the breadth of MITRE capabilities.
  • Provide expert knowledge and application of cybersecurity risk management frameworks and methodologies.
  • Analyze sponsor mission needs and recommend innovative prototypes and solutions that leverage cutting edge AI technologies.
  • Adapts artificial intelligence, including machine learning tools that enable the Cybersecurity of varying technologies.
  • Uses a combination of dataflow programming or pre-trained algorithms from an existing AI framework but may also develop own scripts and algorithms in C , Go, Java, Python, or equivalent languages.
  • Lead small teams to solve technical challenges by applying AI capabilities.
  • Convey complex ideas to non-technical audiences through briefings and/or white papers.

The Cybersecurity AI Lead will work in close collaboration with the sponsor and MITRE colleagues from multiple disciplinary backgrounds (e.g. engineers and technical experts, mission operations/domain SMEs, data scientist/analysts, program managers etc.) to translate operational mission needs into sound technical requirements, develop and/or review proposed plans, and contribute to the development of technical solutions to advance the sponsor’s mission.

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.
  • Experience applying repeatable processes and developing artifacts (e.g., requirements documents, plans, proposals, risk management plans), and other documents as necessary.
  • Demonstrated success in managing multiple complex concurrent assignments.
  • Experience translating operational mission needs into acquisition, technical, and programmatic requirements.
  • Excellent critical and strategic thinking abilities, as well as written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience with Cybersecurity and AI solutions.
  • Experience advising on all aspects of the AI domain to implement and adopt innovative AI solutions.
  • Ability to create win-win solutions with a positive “make it happen” attitude.
  • This position requires 5 days a week on site.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous experience in a role responsible for leading technology insertion, including the implementation and adoption of novel technical solutions for critical mission challenges.
  • Certifications: CISSP, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Network , AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

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):

None

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$174,000 - $217,500 - $261,000 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.

MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE’s employment process, please email recruitinghelp@mitre.org for general support and collegerecruiting@mitre.org for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply.

Benefits information may be found here.

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Salary : $261,000

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