OSW Chief Engineer

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The Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) Division within MITRE's National Security Sector partners with senior Department of War leadership to address the nation's most complex defense modernization challenges. The division provides objective, systems-level technical leadership across acquisition and sustainment, research and engineering, digital modernization, policy, test and evaluation, cost assessment, and enterprise transformation. The division helps the Department move modernization priorities forward, improve enterprise decision-making, and connect capabilities across the Joint Force.

The OSW portfolio spans organizations whose decisions shape future force capabilities and the defense enterprise. The division integrates expertise from across MITRE to help sponsors make informed decisions, reduce risk, and accelerate mission outcomes while preserving the independence and objectivity expected of an FFRDC.

Job Description:

The OSW Division Chief Engineer serves as the senior technical leader for the division and is accountable for technical excellence and rigor, and mission impact across the portfolio. As a member of the division leadership team, the Chief Engineer shapes technical strategy, develops organizational capability, and ensures MITRE delivers trusted, enterprise-level solutions to senior government decision makers.

The role requires exceptional technical credibility, the ability to influence across organizational boundaries, and a demonstrated record of leading large, multidisciplinary technical organizations. The Chief Engineer works closely with Division and Center leadership, Chief Engineers across MITRE, sponsors, and external mission partners to align corporate capabilities with evolving national security priorities.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership
  • Serve as the senior technical authority for the division, establishing engineering standards and technical quality expectations.
  • Ensure sponsor products are independent, analytically rigorous, technically sound, and appropriately reviewed.
  • Provide independent assessment of FFRDC appropriateness and technical risk across the work program.

• Strategic Technical Leadership
  • Shape the division's technical strategy in alignment with sponsor priorities and MITRE's long-term strategic direction.
  • Identify emerging mission areas, technology trends, and capability investments that position MITRE for future impact.
  • Influence corporate research and independent R&D priorities.

• Enterprise Collaboration
  • Partner with Chief Engineers and technical leaders across MITRE to strengthen enterprise technical excellence.
  • Integrate expertise across centers, divisions, and disciplines to address cross-cutting sponsor challenges.
  • Build strategic relationships with government, FFRDC, UARC, industry, and academic partners.

• Talent & Organizational Development
  • Develop and mentor senior technical leaders while strengthening the division's workforce.
  • Assess organizational capabilities and inform workforce planning, hiring, and investment decisions.
  • Foster a collaborative and innovative culture.

• Sponsor Engagement & External Leadership
  • Serve as a trusted technical advisor to senior Department of War leaders.
  • Represent MITRE in executive forums, technical communities, and strategic engagements.
  • Strengthen MITRE's reputation through thought leadership and mission-focused technical engagement.

Basic Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible technical leadership experience with a bachelor's degree; or 12 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 10 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary engineering or scientific organizations delivering mission impact.
• Recognized technical leader with deep expertise in systems engineering and one or more defense mission domains.
• Experience supporting organizations within OSW and military services.
• Experience integrating capabilities across multiple organizations and complex stakeholder environments.
• Established reputation as a thought leader within the national security community.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with and serve as a trusted advisor to government sponsors.
• Experience shaping organizational strategy, technical investment, and high-value work programs.
• Exceptional collaboration skills with the ability to lead through influence across organizational boundaries.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills appropriate for executive and sponsor audiences.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Broad understanding of acquisition, research and engineering, digital modernization, operational analysis, test and evaluation, and emerging technologies.
• Deep understanding of FFRDC responsibilities, sponsor relationships, and independent technical advising.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top 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:
$226,400 - $283,000 - $339,600 Annual

Work Location Type:
Onsite

It 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-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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