Systems Acquisition, Principal

About the role

CAMS (Cost, Acquisition, and Management Sciences) is MITRE's innovation center focused on advancing the art and science of cost analysis, acquisition, and management for national security missions. The role is a Part Time On Call (PTOC) with opportunities to contribute across multiple projects and mission areas.

Responsibilities

• Effectively engage and motivate sponsors, stakeholders, and the larger enterprise on acquisition modernization and agility topics ranging from acquisition policy to technology assessments, commercialization, and mission needs.
• Develop and propose innovative strategies, policies, and processes that improve defense acquisition outcomes, ranging from programs, portfolios, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Contribute with impact as part of one or more integrated product teams to enable DoD to transition emerging technologies and prototypes.
• Strategically communicate internally and externally on key issues related to defense acquisition.
• Build and manage relationships between senior sponsors, MITRE, and other stakeholders (FFRDCs, think tanks, Industry, academia).
• Increase collaboration and coordination on acquisition reform and improvement issues across policy, practice, and academic domains.
• Provide subject matter expertise on DoD acquisition practices at Joint and Service echelons, to include Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), processes applied across the defense innovation and rapid acquisition ecosystems, and working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Register (FAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), in order to inform and guide reform and transformation initiatives.

Requirements

• Broad exposure and significant roles across the DoD’s acquisition environment, including the innovation ecosystem.
• Possession of an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification at a minimum of Level II in Program Management (PM), or equivalent DAWIA certification, demonstrating validated proficiency in defense acquisition principles, program execution, and compliance.
• Experience building coalitions and communities that span multiple organizations across government and the private sector.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to work in team settings, to include establishing formal or informal teams or alliances which coordinate across technical and organizational boundaries to achieve significant mission outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working familiarity with all aspects of DoD Adaptative Acquisition Framework, in particular the software acquisition pathway, requirements, or resourcing processes – i.e., Defense Acquisition System (DAS), Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes, and/or Service-specific requirements and acquisition processes.
• Experience in three or more of the domain or functional areas adjacent to the key areas of modern acquisition reform, such as: Software development, including agile software development methodologies, DevOps, and/or cloud-based capabilities; Cyber security or cyber operations; Conventional/nuclear command and control; Missile warning/defense; Joint or service logistics; Simulations and wargaming.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Broad exposure and significant roles across the DoD’s acquisition environment, including the innovation ecosystem.
• Possession of an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification at a minimum of Level II in Program Management (PM), or equivalent DAWIA certification, demonstrating validated proficiency in defense acquisition principles, program execution, and compliance.
• Experience building coalitions and communities that span multiple organizations across government and the private sector.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to work in team settings, to include establishing formal or informal teams or alliances which coordinate across technical and organizational boundaries to achieve significant mission outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working familiarity with all aspects of DoD Adaptative Acquisition Framework, in particular the software acquisition pathway, requirements, or resourcing processes – i.e., Defense Acquisition System (DAS), Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes, and/or Service-specific requirements and acquisition processes.
• Experience in three or more of the domain or functional areas adjacent to the key areas of modern acquisition reform, such as: Software development, including agile software development methodologies, DevOps, and/or cloud-based capabilities; Cyber security or cyber operations; Conventional/nuclear command and control; Missile warning/defense; Joint or service logistics; Simulations and wargaming.
• Experience working with OSD Research and Engineering and/or Acquisition and Sustainment staffs.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and leverage a strong professional network to provide thought leadership across the acquisition enterprise.
• Demonstrated ability leading critical acquisition modernization or reform efforts with visibility and trust at high levels of government and/or industry.

Skills

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance with poly and access to Secure Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• APDP Level III (PM) or equivalent DAWIA Level III/Advanced acquisition certification, or demonstrated equivalent expertise in large-scale defense acquisition leadership roles.
• Private sector experience defense, technology, or consulting industries.
• Experience working with OSD Research and Engineering and/or Acquisition and Sustainment staffs.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and leverage a strong professional network to provide thought leadership across the acquisition enterprise.
• Demonstrated ability leading critical acquisition modernization or reform efforts with visibility and trust at high levels of government and/or industry.

Benefits

• MITRE offers competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership.

Pay

• Salary compensation range and midpoint: $157,200 - $196,500 - $235,800

Schedule

• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site presence.