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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Systems Engineer - **Company:** MITRE Corporation - **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $162,400.0 - $203,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, SAP (Applications), Systems Modeling Language, Systems Integration, DODAF - **Published:** August 15, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/2C7CCC574B4742C8864C9BA91BAD950D/job/ ## About the Role * 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 * Experience applying systems-of-systems engineering to complex space missions or national security space capabilities * Relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Space Operations, Force Design, Command and Control (C2), Test and Evaluation (T&E), and/or Acquisitions * Experience using one or more architecture, modeling, or digital engineering frameworks and methods, including DoDAF, UAF, SysML, model-based systems engineering, or digital engineering tools * Experience developing or analyzing enterprise processes, models, architecture products, or mission thread based analytical models * Demonstrated ability to translate strategy and mission needs into capabilities, architectures, requirements, and technical plans * Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or complex technical activities * Experience supporting the United States Space Force, United States Air Force, Joint organizations, the Department of War (DoW) or Intelligence Community (IC) to enhance capability development, systems integrations, force design, or operational analysis * Demonstrated ability to influence decisions and build alignment in complex, matrixed environments without relying solely on formal authority * Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills * Must have an active Top Secret/SCI U.S Government issued Security Clearance with SAP eligibility . Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance. * This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site, * Experience formally leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or serving as a technical lead, chief engineer, lead architect, systems of systems engineering lead or mission engineering lead * Experience developing technical, capability, architecture, or transition roadmaps * Experience applying operations research, mission engineering, enterprise analysis, or process improvement methods to complex defense or national security problems * Experience assessing resilient space architectures designed to operate in contested, congested, or degraded environments * Experience evaluating cross segment dependencies involving space, ground, communications, command and control, data, cyber, launch, and user systems * Experience integrating operational, technical, acquisition, test, and transition perspectives into enterprise level recommendations * Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships across government, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), industry, and other mission partners to improve collaboration on enterprise challenges * Experience facilitating senior level technical reviews, architecture forums, working groups, or decision boards This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s) ## Description The Systems and Operations Department is seeking a Principal Space Systems of Systems Engineer to support complex space missions, architectures, capabilities, and modernization initiatives. The selected candidate will translate strategic objectives into mission capabilities, enterprise requirements, architectures, and executable plans. The role requires decomposing mission needs from the strategic level through operational concepts, mission threads, system functions, interfaces, and enabling technologies. In addition, the selected candidate will be expected to: * Analyze, capture, and distill enterprise requirements and evolve enterprise requirements processes for Space Force across acquisition, force design, and operations at a System of Systems level * Translate strategic objectives, operational needs, and mission priorities into capabilities, architectures, enterprise requirements, mission threads, and executable engineering plans * Develop integrated capability, architecture, technology, and transition roadmaps across near, mid, and long-term horizons * Assess end-to-end architectures across space, ground, communications, command and control, data, cyber, launch, and user segments * Identify capability gaps, dependencies, interoperability issues, technical risks, and modernization opportunities * Lead trade studies, architecture assessments, analyses of alternatives, and technical risk evaluations * Integrate technical, operational, acquisition, test, and transition considerations into capability development and modernization plans * Present enterprise level recommendations, roadmap priorities, trades space findings, and investment implications to senior leaders * Lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor systems and mission engineers * Effectively engage mission partners, United States Space Force Headquarters (USSF HQ), United States Space Force (USSF) Field Commands and Acquisition Commands, and stakeholders across the space mission enterprise ## Related Videos - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [Independently together: how micro-applications improve developer experience + app performance](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/452-independently-together-how-micro-applications-improve-developer-experience-app-performance) - [Why Your Best Mediors Never Become Seniors (And How to Fix It)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2108-why-your-best-mediors-never-become-seniors-and-how-to-fix-it) - [Replacing Excel with SAP APIs & Python validation](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1944-replacing-excel-with-sap-apis-python-validation) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) ## Related Articles - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [Events like RSAC Get You CISOs. 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