Lead AI Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

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The MITRE Special Operations and Joint Staff Department (N552) partners with the U.S. Special Operations community to solve complex national security challenges by delivering innovative, mission-driven engineering and technical expertise. Working across government, industry, and academia, we accelerate the development, integration, and transition of advanced capabilities that strengthen operational effectiveness, reduce mission risk, and help ensure Special Operations Forces (SOF) maintain decision advantage in contested environments.

We are seeking a strategic-minded, technically skilled, and operationally focused Artificial Intelligence Engineer to serve in a full-time sponsor environment supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). The successful candidate will bring deep experience developing, deploying, and transitioning AI/ML-enabled capabilities in support of complex national security missions. Working directly with DoD and Intelligence Community sponsors, operators, and mission partners, this individual will develop, integrate, and operationalize advanced data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities that improve mission planning, operational effectiveness, and decision-making.

N552 operates as a globally integrated team supporting USSOCOM Headquarters, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Service Component Special Operations Commands (SOCs), and Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). Engineers work directly with operators, acquisition organizations, and mission partners to identify emerging challenges, evaluate advanced technologies, and transition mission-ready capabilities into operational use.

This position offers the opportunity to work alongside Special Operations Forces and government sponsors, applying advanced data science and artificial intelligence to some of the nation's most challenging national security problems while rapidly delivering innovative capabilities to operational users.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Qualified candidates will have a strong background in data science, machine learning, and software engineering, with demonstrated success applying advanced analytics to complex operational problems. This role includes designing and implementing technical solutions, conducting applied research and rapid prototyping, and collaborating directly with government stakeholders to improve mission outcomes.

The selected candidate will work closely with Special Operations Department leadership and technical teams across MITRE to develop tactical, operational, and strategic capabilities supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Success in this role requires working effectively within MITRE's federated environment by partnering across NSEC, MITRE Labs, and other organizations while engaging directly with SOF operators and government technical experts.

Candidates should possess hands-on experience developing production-quality software, machine learning applications, and data analytics solutions, with the ability to rapidly prototype, deploy,…