Lead Autonomous Systems Engineer

Job Title

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.

• Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams evaluating and improving the performance of autonomous systems
• Maintain knowledge of advances of autonomy and robotics capabilities
• Leverage technical expertise to evaluate and improve AI/Autonomy system performance
• Provide thought leadership centered around autonomy/AI technology adoption on robotics hardware and cloud-based computing environments
• Evaluate autonomy or AI solutions and provide guidance to sponsors based on their requirements
• Work on topics in robotics-relevant fields, such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, planning, human machine teaming, and multi-robot systems
• Build capabilities in one of more growth area for Autonomous Systems (e.g., maritime autonomy, healthcare robotics, space robotics)
• Help department and division define and execute strategy around enabling high-consequence applications of Autonomy, including necessary assurance, T&E, and societal implications

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of 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
• Broad understanding of autonomous systems across multiple domains (Department of War, Services, Intelligence Community, DHS, industry, and academia)
• Deep experience in one or more robotics-relevant fields such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, control theory, human-machine teaming, or multi-robot systems
• Ability to clearly articulate autonomy-specific challenges (perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration), understand real-world application constraints, discuss critical issues, and identify capability gaps
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art autonomy research and tools, including ROS 2 and Docker
• Proven ability to work independently to rapidly learn new technologies, techniques, processes, languages, platforms, and systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders
• 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
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret clearance within 12 months from the date of hire
• 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 3 days a week on-site

• Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
• Experience with software development in a production setting
• Knowledge of advances of Autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia
• Domain knowledge of swarming systems, red teaming, counter UxS, robotic test and evaluation, agentic AI, manufacturing robotics, and/or missile defense
• Experience with configuring and writing software for open-source flight controllers (Ardu Pilot, PX4. Mission Planner, QGroundControl, etc)
• Experience with rapid prototyping, including fabrication and electronics
• Experience with field testing autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systems
• Knowledge and/or experience with edge computing, C-SWAP (compute, size, weight, and power) platforms, and/or surrogate or scaled platforms
• Work and/or leadership of teams to implement and evaluate AI and Autonomy algorithms
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance