Principal Systems Engineer at The MITRE Corporation
Colorado Springs, CO
$162,400–$243,600from the description
Aug 14, 2026
Colorado Springs, CO
Sep 25, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A Principal-level systems-of-systems engineer role at MITRE's not-for-profit R&D center, supporting the United States Space Force on complex space mission architectures, enterprise requirements, and modernization initiatives. The work centers on translating strategic objectives into capabilities and executable engineering plans, leading trade studies and architecture assessments across space, ground, communications, and cyber segments, and presenting findings to senior government leaders. Requires an active TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility and full on-site presence five days a week.
Senior level · 10+ years · Colorado Springs, CO · TS/SCI clearance · Full-time
Advertised as Principal, but the requirements read as Senior.
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
Why we read it this way (9)
Location is not explicitly stated in the posting. MITRE's Systems Engineering Division and the Space Force focus strongly suggest a Colorado Springs, CO or Washington, DC area location; Colorado Springs is used here as the best inference given the USSF HQ and Field Command references, but this should be confirmed.
The salary range provided ($162,400 – $243,600) includes a midpoint of $203,000; the full range is captured in min/max.
The role title is 'Principal Space Systems of Systems Engineer,' but the actual scope and experience requirements (10 years minimum, leading teams within a defined department) align with a Senior-level band rather than a true Principal/org-wide authority role. The advertised title is reflected separately.
SOC classification is challenging: this role is primarily systems engineering / architecture analysis for national security space programs, which sits closest to 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All Other) or 15-1211 (Computer Systems Analysts). It is not a software development role. Medium confidence is assigned given the specialized defense/space engineering nature.
Most skills in this posting are domain competencies (space operations, force design, acquisition) and methodologies rather than discrete named technologies. Only concrete named frameworks and methods are captured in the skills list.
DoDAF and UAF are listed as interchangeable alternatives within the same requirement; SysML is also listed in the same requirement but is a distinct modeling language and is also captured separately as a hard gate.
SAP eligibility is required at hire; the posting states the candidate must already hold an active TS/SCI with SAP eligibility as a basic qualification.
Ignored 5 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): model-based systems engineering, systems-of-systems engineering, enterprise architecture, mission thread analysis, digital engineering.
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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