Project Leader, Office of Net Assessment

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Department Summary MITRE’s N221 Acquisition Studies & Analysis Department seeks an accomplished, proactive staff member capable of serving as project leader and technical contributor for our work supporting the Office of Net Assessment (ONA). The department provides data-driven analytic support and innovative capabilities which enable acquisition, policy, and net assessment stakeholders to make informed decisions and to assess objectively the standing and prospects of the Department in competition with adversaries. The department’s work advances military and national competitiveness, warfighter lethality, operational effectiveness, and acquisition acceleration for the Department of War. N221’s mission-focused portfolio spans several business lines—Cyber, Electronic Warfare, Installation Resilience and Operational Energy, Industrial Base and Investments, Software and Digital Modernization, Threat and Risk Reduction, strategy and force development, net assessment, and acquisition transformation initiatives. The department leverages cutting‑edge technologies, data-driven analysis, and innovative acquisition practices to ensure U.S. military superiority in contested environments. You will engage and lead MITRE peers from a variety of disciplines, and potentially advise officials from the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), the Joint Staff, Services, and Combatant Commands to further advance their mission to consider how their organizations’ force design, force structure, doctrine, operational concepts, procurement decisions, R&D pathways, and bureaucratic proclivities impact the Department’s trends, standing and prospects in competition and conflict with China and other potential adversaries across multiple time horizons, but typically along 15-20 and 20-30 year outlooks. Current and potential future efforts include Assessment of U.S. prospects in competition with China in a discrete category of capabilities Outlines of competitive strategies approaches to long-term struggle with China and other adversaries Identifying and understanding historical trends in the development of precision strike warfare capabilities Assessment of U.S. prospects in competition with China in specific geographic regions looking out to 2060 Application of leading‑edge research in specific technology areas to exploration of future operational concepts Consideration of the long‑term implications for the Department of force‑wide adoption of SI/ML capabilities Development of scenarios for a world following resolution of the U.S.-China competition Quick‑turn, component net assessments that are responsive to senior leader demands of the Director, ONA Development of long‑term wargaming initiatives to support the Director, ONA Development of long‑term wargaming initiatives to support key Allies at the direction of the Director, ONA This position requires significant (20% or more) time in-person in classified spaces, on site at MITRE and/or at government facilities in the Washington DC or Los Angeles area. Roles & Responsibilities Being the primary MITRE interface to the project’s sponsors: build/maintain trusted relationships with key government leaders and stakeholders. Being accountable for the overall execution of the project’s work program: negotiate entry/exit of major tasks; onboarding of new staff; select Task Leaders, serve as their mentor/advisor, and provide performance feedback; maintain staff plans and budgets to ensure delivery within allocated resources; and ensure major milestones are met on time, within resources, and to sponsor expectations. Leading by example: personally contribute to (or lead the development of) one or more high impact project deliverables; long-term professional self-development to become/remain a credible MITRE voice on Net Assessment and Competitive Strategies topics; and support continuity of operations, when necessary, as a Task Leader of last resort. Establishing high quality of project deliverables, in consultation with the Department Chief Engineer: ensure delivered products lead to successful, impactful sponsor outcomes; ensure Task Leaders follow corporate quality norms; review project deliverables and ensure appropriate peer review; and archive and appropriately share key deliverables. Bringing MITRE to bear for the project’s sponsors: Support relevant strategic initiatives of MITRE and the Division/Department; and build partnerships between the project and other MITRE work programs, including our internal research & development program Basic Qualifications Typicaly, requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelors Degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or PhD with 5 years’ of experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience. Must have an active TS/SCI U.S. Government issued Security Clearance. ONA Experience Ability to internally recruit, organize, supervise, and motivate teams of technical staff to execute task objectives. Consistent track record of generating relevant, impactful product deliverables (including definition, completion, and technical quality), in both an individual contributor and team setting. A desire to continually learn and master new concepts and technologies. Strong critical thinking, analytic, and problem‑solving skills – comfortable working in dynamic settings where task objectives may evolve or need to be shaped, or creative solutions to task impediments must be identified. Experience in development and execution of seminar and matrix style wargames to support analysis along various analytic and scenario time horizons. Excellent interpersonal and technical communication skills, with the ability to write technical reports, present briefings, and persuasively speak to audiences of all backgrounds, including executives or senior customers. Demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment, establish and leverage a diverse professional network, and integrate contributions from a variety of resources (people, tools, organizations). Must have an active 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 3 days per week on‑site. Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in history, international relations, or policy studies. Recent experience with successful complex project management or leadership. Prior MITRE experience leading prototyping or analytical efforts and yielding impactful results at high levels of government. Strong grasp of the relevant capabilities, processes, missions, and challenges of one or more of the following domain areas: Competitive strategies Precision strike warfare Warfare across all terrestrial domains, space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum Irregular warfare, counterterrorism, and counterproliferation PLA studies This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s) Top Secret/SCI This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s) Top Secret/SCI Salary compensation range and midpoint $151,500 - $189,500 - $227,500 Annual Work Location Type Onsite Commitment to Non-Discrimination All 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. 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