Cognitive Systems Engineer

Overview

Join Our Innovative Team at Mile 2! Are you into solving tough problems and building cool tech? Do you thrive in a team where your ideas are heard and your creativity is encouraged? If you're nodding along, Mile 2 might be the place for you.

Job Type: Full-time

We are about creating advanced solutions that make a difference for government partners. Our team uses the latest technologies to make a tangible impact, creating seamless integrations between human expertise and machine capabilities to tackle complex challenges.

Our core values guide everything we do:
Supported Autonomy
, Humble Expertise
, Success is a Team Effort
, Tangible Results
.

This role is contingent upon Mile Two being awarded a specific government contract.

• Fully Own End-to-End Adoption:
  Take complete operational ownership of the rollout and workforce integration of digital products, driving user engagement and minimizing friction across the broader customer workforce.
• Analyze Workflows & Friction:
  Apply Cognitive Systems Engineering methodologies to analyze human-workflow friction, interface with complex technical product teams, and design seamless human-machine adoption strategies.
• Manage Clients & Stakeholders:
  Act as the dedicated, trusted operational partner to the client lead, absorbing daily logistics and execution to transition client leadership from hands-on tasks to high-level strategy.
• Feed the Cross-Spoke Pipeline:
  Engage with the workforce to identify tool struggles and organizational skill gaps, collaborating with the Digital Upskilling lead to feed the pipeline with targets for new course creation and marketing materials.
• Drive Strategic Agile Alignment:
  Collaborate with the PM and the broader Digital Enablement team to foster a fluid resource ecosystem that adapts to shifting client needs.

• Ability to obtain a Security Clearance at Secret level, USG CAC, NIPR Access
• Experience:
  
  3–6 years of professional experience as a Cognitive Systems Engineer, Human Factors Engineer, UX Researcher, or in a closely related technical/operational role.
• Core Specialty:
  Strong foundational background in Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE). Proven ability to map complex mental models, assess cognitive workload, and analyze context-switching friction.
• Product & Training Strategy:
  Experience bridging the gap between highly technical product development teams and non-technical end-users (determining where marketing, training, or workflow redesign is needed).
• Consultative & Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Exceptional communication skills with the ability to embed with client stakeholders, manage operational expectations, and proactively drive projects forward without heavy supervision.
• Defense/Federal Space Familiarity:
  Experience working with or supporting DoD clients, specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) or similar scientific/research defense environments, is highly preferred.

• Defense Sector
  
  Experience:
  
  Prior experience working within or supporting DoD clients, specifically the AFRL or similar military scientific environments.
• AI & Advanced Tool Ecosystems:
  Familiarity with emerging artificial intelligence toolsets, large language model interfaces, or modern defense data environments (e.g., Genai.mil Agents, Envision, or equivalent platforms).
• Cross-Functional Agile
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Experience with in an integrated digital enablement ecosystem alongside project spokes like technical training/upskilling pipelines and AI development teams.
• Contract & Program Growth Support:
  Understanding of federal contracting environments, with the ability to identify operational alignment opportunities that support long-term contract strategies.

• Ability to foster growth in individuals and teams. Effectively communicate orally and in written documentation across the organization and to external stakeholders.

Defense Work This role supports U.S. Department of Defense customers. Employees may be assigned to different projects over time, including projects involving defense operations.

At Mile 2, applications are reviewed by real people—not filtered out by bots. Authenticity matters more than keyword tricks. Resumes that feel copy-pasted or overly perfect may hurt your chances. Adding personal touches and real examples of your work will make your application stronger. We look forward to meeting the real you!