Systems Engineer, Lead at The MITRE Corporation
Colorado Springs, CO
$146,400–$219,600from the description
Aug 18, 2026
Colorado Springs, CO
Sep 25, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A lead systems engineering role at MITRE focused on integrating space system ground segments within the Missile Defense domain. The position involves interface development, integration and test planning, software and communications subsystem integration, cloud architecture, and pre/post-launch support across space-to-ground and space-to-space links. The candidate will coordinate across government agencies, FFRDCs, prime contractors, and vendors to advance next-generation missile defense architectures.
Senior level · 8+ years · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · Bachelor's required · TS/SCI clearance · Full-time
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
Why we read it this way (9)
The posting lists a salary range of $146,400–$219,600 annually, with a stated midpoint of $183,000.
The minimum clearance required to start is Top Secret; the candidate must obtain TS/SCI within one year of hire. The role is treated as TS/SCI-gated accordingly.
The preferred qualifications call for a Master's degree with 6+ years; the hard minimum is a Bachelor's with 8+ years.
The role is onsite a minimum of 4 days per week — it is not remote-eligible.
SOC classification is Medium confidence: this role blends systems engineering, integration analysis, and technical advisory work typical of 15-1211 (Computer Systems Analysts), but the deep space/ground segment engineering focus could also fit 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All Other). No single code perfectly captures a defense systems integration engineer at an FFRDC.
Several required skills (e.g., ground segment integration, S2G/S2S communications, C2BMC interoperability) are domain-specific engineering disciplines rather than discrete commercial tools; they are included because the posting explicitly gates on them.
The posting does not name a specific work location city, but MITRE's primary campus and the Missile Defense domain context strongly indicate the Washington, DC metro area (likely Colorado Springs or Huntsville are also possibilities, but DC/Northern Virginia is the most common MITRE onsite location for this domain).
Ignored 3 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): Systems Engineering, Cloud Architecture, Space System Ground Segment Architecture.
Requires a TS/SCI clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.
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