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Lead Missile Defense System Engineer

MITRE
Huntsville, AL Full Time
POSTED ON 8/24/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/20/2026
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 N262 department is seeking an experienced engineer and critical thinker with deep technical skills and a demonstrated track record of fostering, promoting, and fielding innovative ideas and solutions. This position will provide systems engineering support to a Missile Defense System Program office to support next generation interoperability and integrated missile defense capability. This is a Lead Systems Engineering step, Huntsville, AL based position; this work location is required to effectively foster relationships and shape the direct work program.

Roles & Responsibilities:

  • Deliver missile defense systems engineering subject matter expertise directly to government programs to understand needs, execute and deliver quality analysis to inform leadership decisions.
  • Stakeholder coordination – Coordinate across MDA and DoW enterprises and industry partners to achieve outcomes benefiting MDA and the DoW enterprise as a whole
  • Inform technical development, test evaluation, and integration of data distribution enterprises, requirements, and concepts of operations
  • Build partnerships and coordinate efforts across MITRE, Industry, and government sponsor programs
  • Develop technical reports and presentations on analysis results, options, and recommendations
  • Present technical recommendations to government sponsors and stakeholders
  • Lead technical capability developments within an integrated product team

Basic Qualifications:

  • Typically requires a minimum of 8 years’ of experience in relevant domain with a BS engineering, physics, mathematics or related field; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
  • Demonstrated systems engineering experience, including Command and Control (C2) and/or ground sensors
  • Understanding of large, complex C2 System of Systems
  • Understanding of ground and space-based sensor system capabilities
  • Analytical, decision-making, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to clearly communicate complex ideas to executive-level stakeholders
  • Must have an active Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability 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 50% hybrid on-site presence.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Interface and interoperability development experience
  • Analysis and assessment experience
  • MS or higher degree, and 6 years of relevant work experience
  • Depth of knowledge of Missile Defense systems
  • Experience in requirements development and verification

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

Secret

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:

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

Work Location Type:

Hybrid

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 : $219,600

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