Principal Space Cyber Engineer

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That''s because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation''s toughest challenges-and we''re committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We''re making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us.

The N113 Space Battle Management department fields capabilities and establishes cross cutting enablers to deliver an integrated resilient Space C2 and Sensing Enterprise for the Space Warfighter. N113 performs mission engineering, modeling, simulation & analysis (MS&A), software architecting and development, and analysis capabilities designed to close kill chains across multiple space mission domains for multiple customers such as Space Systems Command (SSC) including Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications and Space Intelligence (BMC3I), PAE Missile Warning and Tracking, and the Chief Information Officer (CIO); Space Development Agency, Combat Forces Command Mission Delta 6 and Mission Delta 2, Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), and Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition (SAF/SQ). The outcomes of these efforts provide high-quality, comprehensive, quantitative insights for senior government decision makers shaping the future of our nation's Space policy, operations, and system acquisitions. The N113 department is a major contributor to the MITRE Space Capabilities Division and Space Enterprise Mission Division by enabling joint combat power and superiority in all domains in, from, and through space.

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE's N113 Space Battle Management Department is seeking an experienced Principal Space Cyber Engineer to service as a technical leader, network architect and cybersecurity engineer and to be MITRE's primary interface to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) program office as part of our Space Capabilities Division team. The successful candidate will demonstrate critical network and cyber engineering thinking to include expert understanding of space command and control (C2), network architecture, space and ground networks, and cybersecurity control design and implementation. The candidate should have familiarity with rapid acquisition processes that support the Department of Defense (DoD).

This position is in Albuquerque, NM where the candidate will serve as the primary interface and trusted advisor to the government for resilient cybersecurity approaches and architectures, advanced space C2 capabilities, and help tackle technical and integration challenges in transitioning systems to operational use. The candidate will use their skillset in network engineering and cybersecurity to provide our sponsors with the technical expertise necessary to make informed cybersecurity decisions when procuring and deploying new first-of-kind space capabilities. The candidate must possess the technical expertise and experience to work across multiple program teams of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) to develop a network architecture plan for multi-level security command and control for ground and space capabilities and to generate threat informed cyber security requirements. The candidate will also collaborate with multiple sponsors, project leaders, and a team of multi-disciplined engineers and SMEs.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a BS in Applied Cybersecurity Engineering, Cyber Architecture and Resiliency, Network Engineering, IT Architecture (Systems Design) or related/equivalent degree; or 8 years and Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Technical depth and leadership in network and cyber engineering, preferably in a subset of the following: cyber software engineering, space command and control (C2), enterprise architecture, and DoD cyber or acquisition programs.
• Flexible systems thinker with the ability to quickly deliver results and achieve impactful outcomes
• Strong knowledge of advanced cyber threats, active defensive cyber tools, and adversary methodologies
• Working and fluent knowledge of network engineering and architecture, cybersecurity engineering, system interfaces, command and control systems (both ground and space based)
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Effective collaboration, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills
• Self-starter
• A Top-Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements for a clearance, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in Applied Cybersecurity Engineering, Cyber Architecture and Resiliency, Network Engineering or IT Architecture (Systems Design)
• Experience in incorporating digital models into cyber exercises and test range environments.
• Electronic Warfare & RF Engineering: deep understanding of the EW pillars of Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Protection (EP), and Electronic Support (ES).
• Cyber Warfare & Exploitation: Technical knowledge of network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11, tactical datalinks, cellular, custom military waveforms) and protocol stacks. Understanding of vulnerability research, payload delivery mechanisms over RF mediums, and embedded systems exploitation.
• Understanding of space systems and missions across DoD, the Intelligence Community, and civil and commercial agencies
• Demonstrated strategic space System-of-Systems thought leader
• Experience in space inter-agency (NRO, NGA, MDA, etc.) operations, capabilities, and C2
• Understanding of cybersecurity control design and implementation preference given to qualified candidates with active Top-Secret/SCI security clearance
• Familiarity with digital modelling and leveraging functional network digital twins to the point accelerate cyber testing functions as early as possible in the acquisition lifecycle.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$172,800 - $216,000 - $259,200 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email recruitinghelp@mitre.org for general support and collegerecruiting@mitre.org for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply.

Benefits information may be found here.

Copyright 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.