Principal Project Leader, Geospatial Intelligence (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 Geospatial Intelligence program provides skills and capabilities to enable the creation and exploitation of national, tactical, and commercial Intelligence in support of Geospatial Intelligence users. We support the production of intelligence and situational awareness for national and warfighter security, targeting, command and control, and humanitarian aid. Our capabilities include requirements and mission workflow analysis for sensor platforms and ground systems, specialized computing systems, architecture design and integration of data and artificial intelligence in support of exploitation processes, advanced analytics, and integrated intelligence analysis from seabed to space.Joining the Geospatial Intelligence 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 geospatial intelligence. Together, we are advancing mission assurance and empowering national policy makers, warfighters, and partners with the confidence and capabilities needed to succeed in an increasingly dynamic intelligence environment.Roles & Responsibilities: MITRE is seeking a technically exceptional Principal Project Leader to lead our Geospatial intelligence Program’s Research and Analysis project team. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of geospatial intelligence. A key focus for this role is advancing and shaping current research, developing prototypes, transitioning new technologies and tradecraft into systems to enable GEOINT missions through AI-enabled mission automation and orchestration moving beyond manual, legacy processes toward scalable, intelligent operations. In partnership with staff from across MITRE’s Intelligence Center and MTE, you will help to solve challenges in the areas of Geospatial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Science, Image Science, Spectral Science, and Systems Engineering. You will also collaborate across MITRE, government, and industry to transform raw orbital data into operational advantage.The selected candidate will be expected to:Provide strategic and technical leadership as a trusted advisor to the sponsor and help shape the full scope of work for the projects tasksBuild and sustain strong relationships with Sponsor senior leadership, division leadership, branch chiefs, and government stakeholders across the mission spaceDefine and execute technical objectives based on sponsor priorities and mission outcomes, with an emphasis on areas where MITRE can deliver the greatest value through its technical depth and cross-cutting capabilitiesTranslate overall project strategy into clear, actionable outcomes, deliverables, and technical productsIdentify and integrate relevant research and innovation efforts from across MITRE, including internal innovation programs, to strengthen project impact and advance sponsor objectivesEnsure the technical quality of products and recommendations by establishing clear team expectations aligned with division quality practices, conducting in-progress reviews, incorporating peer review, implementing effective knowledge management, and participating in regular program execution reviewsPartner with MITRE staff resourcing organizations to develop and execute a mission-focused staffing strategy for the projectCollaborate across MITRE and with sponsors to identify, assess, and inform operational trade space decisions for the NGA missionLead project administration activities, including financial tracking, project documentation, meeting coordination, status reporting, facility management, task tracking, and contributor expectation settingOversee staff management activities, including onboarding and access coordination for required systems, networks, collaboration environments, and classified facilities.Collaborate across our work program with other PLs to ensure cohesive, well-aligned deliveryBasic 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.Degree in physics, applied mathematics, aerospace, software development for engineering/physical systems, acquisition, artificial intelligence, data science, imaging, cloud architecture or related disciplines and work experience with a strong technical backgroundTrack record in achieving significant work program, sponsor, or organizational outcomesTeam builder with ability to work across MITRE bringing required staffing resources to bearIdentify, propose, and pursue partnerships with MITRE internally funded efforts (innovation program, PD/SI’s, strategic outcomes, etc.), as applicable to pursue groundbreaking capability advancements and deliveryProficiency 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 outcomesActive TS/SCI clearance with the ability to maintain and obtain a polygraphPer the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements for a clearance, U.S Citizenship is required.This position requires a minimum of 5 days a week on-sitePreferred Qualifications: Active TS/SCI clearance with a polygraphMaster’s or PhD with research experience in one of the above specified degree programs Domian knowledge of emerging and current sponsor related technology fields: Geospatial intelligence, AI / ML, Data Science, Image Processing / Computer Vision, various GIS data (SAR, HSI, Trajectories, etc.)Knowledge of intelligence operations, the intelligence lifecycle, TCPED, and intelligence systemsAbility to mentor early-career staff, new task leaders, and encourage staff skill developmentDemonstrated ability to manage multiple complex project components simultaneouslyExperience advising the federal government on acquisition lifecycle activities (emphasizing software acquisitions), including SOW/SOO development, market research, acquisition planning, technical evaluations, source selection support, or adoption of innovative acquisition approachesUnderstanding of space-related physics and engineering concepts, for example, orbital mechanics, satellite propagation, space-based ISR, satellite communications, space domain awareness, etc. This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):Top Secret/SCI/PolygraphThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):Top Secret/SCI/PolygraphSalary compensation range and midpoint:$191,200 - $239,000 - $286,800 AnnualWork Location Type:OnsiteCommitment to Non-DiscriminationAll 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 View email address on click.appcast.io for general support and View email address on click.appcast.io 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. Job SummaryJob number: R117040Profession: Engineering