Principal Autonomous Systems Strategist

Department Summary

MITRE’s Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, and Data Technical Division's Autonomous and Intelligent Department is an innovative team of engineers focused on the development of cutting-edge autonomous systems, robotics capabilities, and AI solutions for a safer world.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives that advance the development, acquisition, integration, and responsible deployment of autonomous systems across government mission areas
• Help department and division define and execute strategy around enabling high-consequence applications of autonomy, including necessary assurance, test and evaluation, and sociotechnical implications
• Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams evaluating and improving the performance of autonomous systems
• Maintain knowledge of advances in autonomy and robotics capabilities to help sponsors implement strategies and act on emerging technologies
• Engage cross-government sponsors, industry partners, and internal leadership on the strategic, technical, operational, and policy considerations associated with autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities
• Create and execute strategies that translate emerging AI and autonomy technologies into operational capabilities aligning technical approaches with acquisition pathways, governance frameworks, standardization, test and evaluation, and mission needs
• Critically assess and review technologies and proposals to ensure mission alignment, technical feasibility, and operational capability
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, researchers, operators, and program managers to develop innovative solutions that address complex sponsor challenges

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years experience in Autonomy and AI with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of autonomy-related education and work experience
• Demonstrated experience with autonomous systems, AI-enabled systems, or robotics across the capability lifecycle including research and development, strategy, policy, acquisition, systems engineering, test and evaluation, operations, program management, technology transition, or sustainment
• Broad understanding of autonomous systems across multiple domains (Department of War, Services, Intelligence Community, DHS, transportation, industry, and academia)
• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders, translate technical jargon for a range of audiences, and interpret and propose definitions in a repeatable and descriptive manner
• Applied expertise in counter autonomy (e.g., cUAS) and/or cybersecurity for autonomous systems
• Ability to understand complex technical concepts and translate them into strategic recommendations for a range of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to shape and define work in collaboration with sponsors or stakeholders, even in the absence of fully defined requirements
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including leading teams, developing and managing schedules, communicating risks, and managing budgets
• Experience developing, proposing, and executing autonomy-focused research initiatives
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
• Knowledge of advances of autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia
• Applied knowledge of government AI and autonomy policy, acquisition pathways, operational concepts, or test and evaluation practices
• Experience influencing organizational strategy or contributing to government policy development related to emerging technologies
• Experience developing technology roadmaps, evaluating emerging technologies, and conducting technology assessments
• Prior work collaborating across government, industry, and academia
• Active DOD Top Secret clearance