Lead Autonomous Systems Engineer

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 Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Department works to enable effective and safe adoption of embodied AI solutions for the most critical challenges. Our technical team of experts, developers, and strategists are helping to realize the benefits autonomy will bring across various sectors including defense, healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement. We bring our unique and unbiased understanding of missions, the innovation landscape, and technology to focus in areas where industry is not incentivized or able to operate to bring insights and solutions to MITRE’s sponsors and partners.Roles & Responsibilities:Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams evaluating and improving the performance of autonomous systemsMaintain knowledge of advances of autonomy and robotics capabilitiesLeverage technical expertise to evaluate and improve AI/Autonomy system performanceProvide thought leadership centered around autonomy/AI technology adoption on robotics hardware and cloud-based computing environmentsEvaluate autonomy or AI solutions and provide guidance to sponsors based on their requirementsWork on topics in robotics-relevant fields, such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, planning, human machine teaming, and multi-robot systemsBuild 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 implicationsBasic Qualifications: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 experienceBroad 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 systemsAbility to clearly articulate autonomy-specific challenges (perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration), understand real-world application constraints, discuss critical issues, and identify capability gapsFamiliarity with state-of-the-art autonomy research and tools, including ROS 2 and DockerProven ability to work independently to rapidly learn new technologies, techniques, processes, languages, platforms, and systemsExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholdersDemonstrated ability to shape and define work in collaboration with sponsors or stakeholders, even in the absence of fully defined requirementsDemonstrated leadership skills, including leading teams, developing, and managing schedules, communicating risks, and managing budgetsExperience developing, proposing, and executing autonomy-focused research initiativesAbility and willingness to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret clearance within 12 months from the date of hirePer the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearanceThis position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-sitePreferred Qualifications: Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.Experience with software development in a production settingKnowledge of advances of Autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academiaDomain knowledge of swarming systems, red teaming, counter UxS, robotic test and evaluation, agentic AI, manufacturing robotics, and/or missile defenseExperience with configuring and writing software for open-source flight controllers (ArduPilot, PX4. Mission Planner, QGroundControl, etc)Experience with rapid prototyping, including fabrication and electronicsExperience with field testing autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systemsKnowledge and/or experience with edge computing, C-SWAP (compute, size, weight, and power) platforms, and/or surrogate or scaled platformsWork and/or leadership of teams to implement and evaluate AI and Autonomy algorithmsActive DoD Top Secret clearanceThis requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):NoneThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):SecretSalary compensation range and midpoint:$174,000 - $217,500 - $261,000 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: R116643Profession: Engineering