Senior Principal Project Leader – National Space Program – Communications Directorate

Roles & Responsibilities

MITRE is seeking a technically exceptional Senior Principal Project Leader to support the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Communications Systems Directorate (COMM). COMM provides the end-to-end, secure information technology and transport services that serve as the central nervous system for the agency’s global intelligence operations. A leader supporting COMM execution will oversee the architectural strategy, delivery, and sustainment of one of the world’s largest and most robust global enterprise networks. This includes driving the modernization of the enterprise IT portfolio, integrating cutting-edge terrestrial and orbital communications, and ensuring continuous connectivity across all NRO operations centers and ground stations.

The successful candidate will guide enterprise-wide technical baselines to guarantee seamless, high-speed data transport and network resilience throughout the lifecycle of critical space and ground platforms. In addition to foundational IT governance, the candidate will play a critical role in supporting real-time NRO mission execution and operational enterprise management. This requires directing cross-functional operational teams to maintain comprehensive situational awareness, expedite incident response, and ensure 24/7/365 mission assurance.

• Drive the modernization of the enterprise IT portfolio
• Integrate cutting-edge terrestrial and orbital communications
• Ensure continuous connectivity across all NRO operations centers and ground stations
• Guide enterprise-wide technical baselines
• Support real-time NRO mission execution and operational enterprise management
• Direct cross-functional operational teams to maintain comprehensive situational awareness
• Expedite incident response
• Ensure 24/7/365 mission assurance
• Oversee rigorous maintenance de-confliction processes
• Manage critical network approvals
• Establish resilient operational frameworks
• Guarantee the absolute availability of COMM systems, services, and capabilities under all conditions
• Act as a central conduit for resolving complex information exchange issues between the NRO’s IT Service Ecosystem and the interconnected architectures of joint mission partners
• Align network infrastructure strategies with IC-wide security concepts
• Advance robust, scalable transport solutions
• Ensure the NRO’s communications architecture remains a secure, agile, and unparalleled foundation for America’s strategic intelligence advantage

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 10 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 7 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Minimum of 5 days a week on-site.
• Master’s or PhD with research experience in one or more of the degrees referenced above.
• Experience with cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) – to include AI strategy and engineering.
• Experience developing or applying systems architecture frameworks, architecture views, interface models, operational models, or enterprise architecture products.
• Experience 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 approaches.
• Experience with digital engineering, mission engineering, enterprise architecture, software-intensive systems, cloud-based systems, data platforms, cybersecurity, or command-and-control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) – to include AI strategy and engineering.
• Experience developing or applying systems architecture frameworks, architecture views, interface models, operational models, or enterprise architecture products.
• Experience 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 approaches.
• Experience with digital engineering, mission engineering, enterprise architecture, software-intensive systems, cloud-based systems, data platforms, cybersecurity, or command-and-control systems.