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Department Summary:
The MITRE National Security Sector (MNS) and its National Security Engineering Center (NSEC) FFRDC are dedicated to solving the nation's most complex security challenges-spanning the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community, interagency partners, industry, and international allies. As a trusted systems engineering and integration partner, NSEC bridges organizational boundaries to enable cross-cutting solutions, proactively assessing capability gaps and focusing on mission outcomes rather than isolated systems or processes.
The Naval Division (N230) is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Chief Engineer for the new Fleet Modernization Department. This department is chartered to shape the future of naval warfare and maritime dominance, enabling maritime superiority and all-domain Fleet lethality in a dynamic, complex, and contested maritime environment.
The Chief Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the technical excellence of a multi-domain, multidisciplinary team spanning surface, undersea, and air platforms. As a senior leader within both the department and division, the Chief Engineer will drive the quality of the department's technical work, foster cross-divisional collaboration, and provide thought leadership in emerging technology areas. The Chief Engineer will:
Serve as the department's technical leader, guiding efforts to anticipate the needs of a modern fleet - particularly in subsea-to-seabed sensing - and safeguarding against technological surprise.
Set the technical direction for non-traditional sea denial, while expanding the team's depth of expertise in this critical area.
Ensure the technical rigor and relevance of work programs in undersea warfare, surface warfare, and naval aviation.
Lead the division's technical strategy into emerging warfighting domains, including Arctic and polar region capabilities.
Partner with the Division Chief Engineer and Department Manager to ensure technical excellence, alignment, and innovation across work programs.
Collaborate with MNS Cross-Cutting Priority Leads, Mission Centers, and MITRE Research Program Leads to drive technical congruence and efficiency.
The ideal candidate brings operational knowledge, technical expertise, and acquisition insight into the most pressing mission and technology challenges facing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Force. As a senior member of the department and division leadership team, the Chief Engineer will provide thought leadership, foster technical collaboration, and champion innovative solutions to address complex national security challenges.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Align resources and solutions to address key operational challenges, ensuring effective integration into operational use in partnership with division leadership.
Apply deep expertise in Naval and commercial maritime operations - including subsea to seabed sensing, undersea warfare, surface warfare, and naval aviation -to guide the development of actionable work programs and technical solutions.
Collaborate with MITRE Department Managers, Chief Engineers, and senior leaders to implement D&S Center strategy, support SECNAV & CNO priorities, and shape work for MNS and DoD sponsors.
Lead and uphold technical quality standards across the Naval Division's mission outcomes, including oversight of work programs and technical reviews.
Provide regular, constructive feedback and developmental support to staff, supporting leadership, hiring, training, and technical capability development.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with GO/SES-level sponsors and senior MITRE leaders to advance division and sponsor mission objectives.
Develop and execute strategies to leverage technical specialties, drive innovation, and elevate the impact of department work, including identifying research challenges, initiating proposals, and facilitating technology transfer.
Assist in identifying and addressing technical training needs, and develop multi-year plans to mature department technical capabilities.
Basic Qualifications:
Typically, Bachelor degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Mechanical/Aerospace/Ocean Engineering, or a related STEM field, with 12 years of relevant experience; Master degree with 10 years; or Ph.D. with 7 years or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Minimum 10 years of technical experience related to Naval Operations and/or national security, with expertise in areas such as deterrence, strategic competition, cyber/information operations, interagency collaboration, economic analysis, strategic mission needs, or command and control.
Strong background in military and joint operations, including combatant commands, undersea or surface warfare, or other warfighting domains.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing cross-functional teams, including managing projects and delivering high-quality technical products to meet sponsor objectives.
Proven ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships with senior sponsors and stakeholders.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, including conflict resolution, influence, and trust-building.
Experience working across multiple technical disciplines and a desire to assess novel national security systems and sensors in operational @contexts.
Active TS/SCI with SAP eligibility.
This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site .
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of and experience with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).
Experience working within a highly matrixed organization.
Previous SAP experience.
Demonstrated expertise working with United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or other DoD, Intelligence Community, and Interagency government organizations, including senior government leaders, as well as diverse commercial organizations from small start-ups to large established corporations.
Proven success working across organizational boundaries, creating win-win approaches for complex multi-sponsor challenges, and managing effectively through influence to achieve successful outcomes
A history of success developing new pilots, programs, and mission applications, including navigating both internal organizational processes and government programmatic processes.
Maturity and expertise balancing performance and mission impact against effective risk management and technical quality.
Ability to prioritize across multiple competing demands and simultaneously handle diverse commitments to multiple stakeholders.
This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI
This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
SAP, Top Secret/SCI
Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$188,500 - $235,500 - $282,500 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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