SAOC Associate Project Leader

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.The Nuclear Weapon Systems and C2 Platforms department has an immediate need for an Associate Project Lead (APL) for the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project; the SAOC project supports the Survivable Airborne Operations Division (WVS) as the lead acquisition agent, and the AF Global Strike Command as the Lead Command in the replacement of the aging E-4B Weapon System. MITRE is seeking a motivated, results‑driven professional to serve as both Associate Project Leader and Technical Contributor, tasked with working with the SAOC Project Lead in shaping the work program, controlling cost, schedule and deliverables, providing technical direction, and acting as liaison to the government sponsor.In this role, the SAOC Associate Project Lead will assist the SAOC Project Lead in managing resource allocation, enacting corrective actions for any shortfalls or overruns, and partnering with MITRE resource managers in a shared‑leadership model to align staff expertise with project needs. The APL will drive the project to meet sponsor objectives, leverage MITRE‑wide capabilities, and collaborate with MITRE and NEMD leadership to ensure alignment with the Nuclear Enterprise Strategy and NSEC outcomes for maximum impact.This position is located at the MITRE Bedford Campus, Bedford, Massachusetts.Key functions:Lead, plan, execute, and deliver MITRE SAOC Project outcomesBuild and maintain a team of MITRE engineers focused on data analytics, digital engineering and modeling and simulationWork with the SAOC Project Lead to collaborate with MITRE N130 division leadership, department leadership, and government sponsors to perform work shaping of the MITRE work programWork with the SAOC Project Lead to develop project strategy, outcomes, deliverables; manage alignment of MIP/capstone/etc. to project effortsCollaborate with other project leaders across MITRE’s Nuclear Enterprise to ensure the delivery of integrated solutions across the MITRE work program supporting LRSO and adjacent sponsorsIdentify operational or technical gaps in current (and future) systems and recommend mitigations for fielded or new systems in developmentDevelop technical reports and presentations on analysis results, options, and recommendationsProvide strategic and technical leadership as a trusted advisor to SAOC leadershipDevelop a project work program with measurable tasks and outcomes aligned to MITRE and Nuclear Enterprise Mission Division (NEMD) objectivesIdentify emerging‑technology opportunities within SAOC technical domains and, through cross‑MITRE collaboration and the utilization of internal R&D capabilities, deliver innovative solutions that satisfy the sponsor’s requirementsMaintain a high level of technical quality and rigor on the project by leveraging MITRE’ technical quality guidance and conducting in-progress task/analysis reviews, peer reviews, etc.Cultivate and sustain sponsor relationships with senior government officials in the LRSO program office by engaging with LRSO leadership on a regular basisManage all levels of project administration including resource management, financial management, project resourcing, meeting coordination, status reports, and facility managementManage staff supporting the SAOC project to include on-boarding, handling and processing of requests for access to Sponsor space and systems as well as clearances and continual feedback to staff’s leadership.Drive the growth of the necessary technical disciplines across MITRE and the NEMD, whether through networking with other MITRE subject matter experts (SMEs), hiring or staff development, that are necessary to successfully execute the work programBasic Qualifications:Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineer, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related technical field; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.Experience in systems engineering of complex defense systems, with a strong understanding of digital engineering practices (model-based engineering, systems engineering, configuration management).Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary proof-of-concept projects from concept to delivery, including management of technical tasks and geographically dispersed teams, and working across organizational boundaries.Hands-on experience with modern infrastructure designs and concepts, software development techniques, and network infrastructure.Demonstrated ability to independently deliver innovative solutions to sponsor challenges, including concept development, strategic planning, market research, and technology feasibility/evolution studies.Ability to bridge business and technology by translating strategic goals into actionable workplans, and developing trusted advisor relationships with government sponsors.Excellent communication, stakeholder management, collaboration, leadership, analytical, and organizational skills to keep projects well-scoped and teams aligned to objectives.Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI 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 4 days a week on-site.Preferred qualifications:Active TS/SCIExperience in Nuclear systems and programsMS or higher degree in Engineering, Computer science, Data science, or related technical field.Familiarity with relevant standards and frameworks (e.g., systems engineering standards, data governance frameworks, or AI ethics guidelines).Experience with all aspects of project management, such as work shaping, staff planning and selection, recruiting, budgeting, and reporting, managing geographically distributed groupsExperience with capabilities trade analysis, risk-based analysis, mission analysis, systems integration, and understanding of the relationships between operational, technical, and system architectures.Experience as a technical or program manager.Ability to quickly respond to changing program and political environments while maintaining strategic focus. MS in Physics, System Engineering, ME, EE, Communications Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field and 10 years of related experience including 2 years of leadership experience.This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):Top SecretThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):Top Secret/SCISalary compensation range and midpoint:$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 AnnualWork Location Type:OnsiteIt is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Commitment 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: R117686Profession: Engineering