Principal Systems Engineer

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.Department Summary:MITRE Technology and Engineering’s Systems Engineering Division delivers innovative, multidisciplinary systems engineering solutions that support MITRE and its diverse sponsor base. The division is a leader across government, industry, and academia in advancing next-generation systems engineering and applying best practices to complex national security and public sector challenges. Its technical expertise includes:Mission, Enterprise, and Domain Engineering Systems Engineering, Architecting, and Lifecycle Integration Digital Engineering, Prototyping, and Modernization Architecture, Interfaces, and Open Systems Performance Analysis, Test, and Evaluation AI-Enabled Systems Engineering The division applies these capabilities across sponsors to address broad national challenges, integrate lessons learned across domains, and continuously strengthen MITRE’s impact and differentiated value in systems engineering.Roles & Responsibilities:As a Principal Mission Engineer, you will leverage and grow your systems engineering expertise to support the design, implementation, and integration of enterprise systems and systems-of-systems and analysis of missions for federal agencies. Specific responsibilities may include:Using your understanding of systems and mission engineering and an awareness of sponsor needs to determine areas where MITRE can have an impactApplying modern methods and tools such as Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, Mission Engineering, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics to assess capability needs, requirements, architectures, designs, performance constraints and gaps, proposed changes, and verification and test approachesEvaluating and comparing alternative architectures using qualitative and quantitative techniques and exploring large tradespacesArticulating major uncertainties associated with systems architectures and defining risks and opportunities associated with those uncertaintiesIdentifying or developing metrics to measure and analyze relevant system properties, such as robustness, resiliency, interoperability, quality, and maintainabilityLeading requirements management and analysis, interface management, architecture development, architecture change management, and test and evaluation processesOwning technical approach to system design and development, systems modernization, and architecture activities using MBSE and digital engineering approachesTranslating analysis results into actionable recommendations for U.S. Government agenciesLeading medium-to-large teams of systems engineers and analysts to develop data-driven products to support government decision-makingPursuing internal and external research opportunities in cutting-edge engineering fieldsBasic Qualifications:Minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with relevant experienceBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of related education and work experienceProficiency in one or more of the programming languages for quantitative analyses (ex. MATLAB, Mathematica, Python, R)Must be a U.S. citizen with ability to possess and maintain a DoD clearanceThis position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-sitePreferred Qualifications: Active Secret or TS/SCI clearanceAdvanced degree in a relevant fieldDeep expertise in systems and enterprise architecture, with broad systems engineering experience across concept development, requirements, design, test, evaluation, and risk assessmentStrong proficiency with modern systems engineering and digital engineering methods and tools (e.g., MBSE, SysML/UML, Cameo/MagicDraw, DOORS, Rhapsody), including developing plugins and integrating models across applicationsExperience in quantitative analysis and multi-disciplinary modeling and simulation using tools and languages such as MATLAB, Mathematica, Python/R, AFSIM, STK, Command PE, and data analytics environmentsProven leadership in complex, multi-disciplinary environments, including leading teams and analyses, mentoring staff, developing new work, and objectively evaluating vendor solutionsDemonstrated track record of innovation or research (e.g., publications) in systems, mission, or digital engineering, with strong interpersonal skills to build trusted advisor relationships and communicate across technical disciplinesExcellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted advisor relationships and clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholdersThis requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):SecretThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):Top SecretSalary compensation range and midpoint:$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 AnnualWork Location Type:OnsiteIt is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Commitment to Non-DiscriminationAll 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.Copyright © 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. 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