Principal SIGINT Ground Systems Engineer (Intelligence Center)

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's National Space Program brings together leading technical talent and deep mission expertise to help shape the future of space operations. We partner with organizations across the space enterprise to design, deliver, and advance next-generation capabilities that strengthen national security and support critical civil and defense missions. Through systems engineering, advanced analytics, and mission-focused research, our teams solve complex challenges, reduce risk, and accelerate innovation across the full space life cycle.

Joining the National Space Program means contributing to work of national and global importance. Our people help strengthen the digital and physical foundations that enable resilient, effective, and trusted space operations. Together, we are advancing mission assurance and empowering operators with the confidence and capabilities needed to succeed in an increasingly dynamic space environment.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The MITRE National Space Program is looking for a Principal SIGINT Ground Systems Engineer who wants to drive innovative solutions, thought leadership, and evidence-based recommendations so the Intelligence Community (IC) can deliver the benefits and services to our Mission Partners. The role requires the ability to work across technical, operational, acquisition, and programmatic stakeholders to translate mission needs into executable system concepts, architectures, requirements, roadmaps, integration plans, acquisition artifacts, and engineering recommendations. The selected candidate will be expected to:

• Apply systems engineering principles across the system development lifecycle, including mission analysis, concept development, system design, architecture definition, requirements development, integration, verification, validation, deployment planning, and technical transition
• Lead or support system design and architecture activities by translating sponsor mission needs, operational constraints, and capability gaps into system concepts, functional designs, technical approaches, and implementation options
• Develop, assess, and refine system architectures for complex mission systems, including operational views, functional architectures, logical and physical architectures, interfaces, data flows, dependencies, and integration points
• Conduct engineering studies, trade analyses, and gap assessments to evaluate current-state systems, operational processes, technology limitations, interoperability challenges, and opportunities to improve mission outcomes
• Advise government sponsors and program managers on mission context, capability needs, technical priorities, system roadmaps, technology insertion opportunities, acquisition strategies, and engineering approaches that support program objectives
• Support acquisition planning and execution by contributing to Statements of Work, Statements of Objectives, Performance Work Statements, market research, acquisition strategies, evaluation criteria, technical evaluation plans, source selection documentation, and vendor assessments
• Serve as a mentor to junior staff by providing guidance, feedback, and knowledge-sharing to support their professional growth and strengthen team capabilities

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Typically requires a degree in physics, applied mathematics, aerospace, software development for engineering/physical systems, mechanical engineering, or related discipline and work experience with a strong technical background.
• Demonstrated experience with modeling, simulation, and analysis of space systems and space-related operations.
• Understanding of space-related physics and engineering concepts, for example, orbital mechanics, satellite propagation, space-based ISR, satellite communications, space domain awareness, etc.
• Familiarity with latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and how techniques can be applied to DoD and IC challenges.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture.
• Knowledge of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts, tools, processes, and techniques.
• Ability to proactively formulate key analytical questions to drive modeling, simulation, experimentation, and prototyping.
• Proficiency in DoD and IC space sponsors and their role in the development, acquisition, and operational lifecycle and the ability to work across to achieve higher level strategic objectives.
• Experience with understanding & presenting technical studies to senior decision-makers to drive action and outcomes.
• An active TS/SCI security clearance with a polygraph.
• Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements for a clearance, U.S Citizenship is required
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD with research experience in one of the above specified degree programs
• Knowledge of intelligence operations, the intelligence lifecycle, and intelligence systems
• Experience developing or applying systems architecture frameworks, architecture views, interface models, operational models, or enterprise architecture products
• Experience advising the federal government on acquisition lifecycle activities, including SOW/SOO development, market research, acquisition planning, technical evaluations, source selection support, or adoption of innovative acquisition approaches
• Experience with digital engineering, mission engineering, enterprise architecture, software-intensive systems, cloud-based systems, data platforms, cybersecurity, or command-and-control systems

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

Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

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/Polygraph

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 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.

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. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.