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Lead Autonomous Systems Strategist Jobs

Job in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
Listing for: Clearance Jobs
Full Time position
Listed on 2026-08-16
Job specializations:
  • Engineering
    Robotics, Systems Engineer
Job Description & How to Apply Below

Join MITRE's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department

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 Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department is an innovative team of engineers focused on the development of cutting-edge autonomous systems, robotics capabilities, and AI solutions for a safer world.

Roles & Responsibilities
  • Lead strategic initiatives that advance the development, acquisition, integration, and responsible deployment of autonomous systems across government mission areas
  • Help department and division define and execute strategy around enabling high-consequence applications of autonomy, including necessary assurance, test and evaluation, and sociotechnical implications
  • Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams evaluating and improving the performance of autonomous systems
  • Maintain knowledge of advances in autonomy and robotics capabilities to help sponsors implement strategies and act on emerging technologies
  • Engage cross-government sponsors, industry partners, and internal leadership on the strategic, technical, operational, and policy considerations associated with autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities
  • Create and execute strategies that translate emerging AI and autonomy technologies into operational capabilities aligning technical approaches with acquisition pathways, governance frameworks, standardization, test and evaluation, and mission needs
  • Critically assess and review technologies and proposals to ensure mission alignment, technical feasibility, and operational capability
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, researchers, operators, and program managers to develop innovative solutions that address complex sponsor challenges
Basic Qualifications
  • Typically requires a minimum of 8 years experience in Autonomy and AI with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of autonomy-related education and work experience
  • Demonstrated experience with autonomous systems, AI-enabled systems, or robotics across the capability lifecycle including research and development, strategy, policy, acquisition, systems engineering, test and evaluation, operations, program management, technology transition, or sustainment
  • Experience with autonomous platforms operating in air, ground, maritime, or space domains
  • Broad understanding of autonomous systems across multiple domains (Department of War, Services, Intelligence Community, DHS, transportation, industry, and academia)
  • Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders, translate technical jargon for a range of audiences, and interpret and propose definitions in a repeatable and descriptive manner
  • Ability to understand complex technical concepts and translate them into strategic recommendations for a range of audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to shape and define work in collaboration with sponsors or stakeholders, even in the absence of fully defined requirements
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including leading teams, developing and managing schedules, communicating risks, and managing budgets
  • Experience developing, proposing, and executing autonomy-focused research initiatives
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
  • This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site
Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
  • Knowledge of advances of autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia
  • Applied knowledge of government AI and autonomy policy, acquisition pathways, operational concepts, or test and…
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