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Department Summary:MITRE's Acquisition Division, Department for Acquisition Transformation & Applied Technologies (L581) is focused on advancing the art and science of cost analysis, acquisition, and management for national security missions. Our multidisciplinary team delivers objective, data-driven insights to help government sponsors make informed decisions about resource allocation, technology investments, and acquisition strategies. By combining deep expertise in cost estimation, acquisition policy, operations research, and analytics, the Acquisition Division enables sponsors to accelerate modernization, transition emerging technologies, and solve complex management challenges. We foster collaboration across government, industry, and academia-driving innovation and shaping resilient, effective solutions for the nation's most critical missions. And above all - we bring objectivity, innovation, courage, and technical excellence to help our sponsors make the right decision.
Role & Responsibilities:L581 is seeking a visionary technical leader to serve as Chief Capability Engineer (CCE) for Acquisition Transformation. The CCE will work with the Division Director and Division Chief Engineer to define and drive the technical strategy, execution, and application of the division core competencies to lead acquisition reform initiatives. The successful candidate is a proven technical leader with demonstrated technical expertise in these areas, inspirational leadership, creativity, and the flexibility to work across evolving and diverse problems sets. The CCE will collaborate with the Division Chief Engineer, Department Managers, other CCEs, and Capability Area Leads (CALs) to bring division/department capabilities to bear on MITRE's FFRDC work programs. The CCE will be accountable for the utility and quality of the capabilities supported by the division and its departments and the shared frameworks, methodologies, and technical approaches. While not a formal people-management role, the CCE will contribute to staff development and provide technical mentorship across the division. In addition to direct work programs within the FFRDCs, the CCE will support the Division Chief Engineer to engage with the internal research and development program, to influence and shape the research priorities and programs as well as mentor and guide staff all the way from the ideation phase through to proposing and executing internal research projects. The CCE will also collaborate with MNS and MPS mission partners to pursue acquisition reform initiatives, research, and colloquiums to advance our presence as a leader in this arena. The CCE will also provide individual, senior principal technical support directly to MITRE's work programs. The CCE's time spent on direct sponsor contributions should be in technical leadership within the set of division capabilities.
Basic Qualifications:- Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 10 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 7 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
- 10+ years of experience in technical leadership roles supporting national defense, acquisition, or related government programs.
- Possession of an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification at a minimum of Level II in Program Management (PM), or equivalent DAWIA or FAC-C, FAC-COR, or FAC-P/PM Level II certification, demonstrating validated proficiency in defense acquisition principles, program execution, and compliance or on track to achieve
- Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas: systems engineering, mission engineering, cyber, agile software development, modeling and simulation, supply chain risk management, or acquisition transformation.
- Proven ability to develop technical strategies that drive innovation and measurable mission outcomes.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder environments.
- Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and successfully solve complex technical challenges across business lines and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs and synthesize how disparate activities support a strategic mission objective or outcome.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate highly complex technical challenges effectively.
- Understanding of national security priorities and intelligence community organizational policies, priorities, and missions.
- MUST hold an active Top Secret clearance and be able to obtain TS/SCI Clearance.
- This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site
Preferred Qualifications: - A graduate degree in related fields or certifications in Acquisition, Government Contracting, Decision Analysis.
- Familiarity with national security operational environments, threats, and complexities.
- Successful participation in end-to-end system development activities from CONOPS to operations.
- Understanding of organizational policies, priorities, and missions for US Government organizations in the work program.
- APDP Level III (PM) or equivalent DAWIA Level III/Advanced or FAC-C, FAC-COR, or FAC-P/PM Level III acquisition certification, or demonstrated equivalent expertise in large-scale defense acquisition leadership roles.
- Experience working with OSD Research and Engineering and/or Acquisition and Sustainment staff.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain and leverage a strong professional network to provide thought leadership across the acquisition enterprise.
- Demonstrated ability leading critical acquisition modernization or reform efforts with visibility and trust at high levels of government and/or industry.
- Experience with defining work programs, oversight of KPI's, and execution of strategic outcomes. Experience with multi-level customer/sponsor and/or enterprise-wide engagements.
- Demonstrated experience with MITRE's business operations protocols, cadence, systems, and working model.
- TSSCI clearance
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:$182,400 - $228,000 - $273,600 Annual
Work Location Type:Hybrid
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.
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