Lead Cyber Operations Engineer - Secure Communications (TS/SCI)

Location: McLean, Virginia

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies - collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose - and help shape the future.

Department Summary

MITRE’s Offensive Operations & Effects department, part of the Cyber Operations & Effects Innovation Center, develops advanced cyber capabilities and mission-focused technology solutions supporting national security objectives. Our teams conduct applied research, operational analysis, prototype development, and technical experimentation across offensive cyber operations, digital forensics, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, network analysis, and cyber-enabled mission support. We leverage emerging technologies and advanced analytics to deliver innovative capabilities designed for real-world operational environments.

MITRE is seeking a highly technical Lead Cyber Operations Engineer - Secure Communications & Cyber Innovation to support advanced secure communications, cyber operations, and applied research initiatives. This role combines expertise in cybersecurity operations, secure systems engineering, networking, digital forensics, and mission-focused engineering to develop and assess resilient communication capabilities supporting operational cyber missions. The successful candidate will help drive the development of secure, scalable, and mission-ready communications architectures while supporting cyber analysis, infrastructure defense, and operational resiliency efforts.

Roles & Responsibilities

MITRE is seeking strong technical candidates with backgrounds in cybersecurity operations, computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, communications systems, or related disciplines to join a research and development team focused on secure communications, cyber resiliency, and operational mission capabilities.

The candidate for this position should have familiarity in one or more of the following disciplines: secure communications engineering, network security, digital forensics, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, network packet capture and analysis, IoT analysis, or cyber analytics. Candidates should possess a strong interest in applying advanced security methodologies and emerging technologies to operational cyber and communications challenges.

In this role, you will:

• Design, develop, implement, and assess secure communications systems supporting operational mission objectives and technology innovation initiatives
• Lead threat modeling and security architecture analysis for mission-critical communications infrastructure and cyber-enabled systems
• Apply information security principles to the design, development, auditing, and hardening of communications systems and supporting infrastructure
• Identify opportunities for automation, optimization, and improved operational resiliency across cyber operations and communications workflows
• Conduct analysis of network traffic, packet captures, logs, and operational data sources to support technical assessments and operational analysis
• Develop prototypes, tools, and workflows supporting secure communications, cyber operations, vulnerability research, and network analysis activities
• Research and evaluate emerging cyber technologies, communications protocols, forensic techniques, and operational tradecraft for mission applicability
• Support applied research and development activities responsive to sponsor technical gaps and operational challenges
• Collaborate with system owners, operators, engineers, and multidisciplinary technical teams to deliver resilient mission-focused solutions
• Prepare and deliver technical documentation, assessments, demonstrations, testing reports, and operational briefings to sponsors and leadership
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to engineering and cyber operations teams
• Work independently to rapidly learn and apply new technologies, platforms, security methodologies, and technical techniques in evolving mission environments

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years and a Master’s degree; or 3 years with a PhD and relevant experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related technical field
• Proven experience in security engineering, systems programming, networking, or infrastructure engineering supporting secure or mission-critical environments
• Strong programming proficiency in Python, Go, Rust, C++, or similar languages with demonstrated ability to develop production-quality solutions
• Strong familiarity with Linux systems administration and command-line automation
• Practical knowledge of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, and Internet Protocol routing
• Experience applying information security principles to communication systems and supporting infrastructure
• Familiarity with cyber operations concepts and objectives
• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas:
  • Secure communications systems
  • Network security and traffic analysis
  • Threat modeling and system hardening
  • Digital forensics
  • Reverse engineering
  • Vulnerability research
• Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex technical problems and deliver results within demanding operational timelines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience collaborating directly with system owners, operators, engineers, and sponsor organizations
• This position requires full-time on-site work in a Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) at MITRE’s McLean campus and regular engagement with sponsor sites throughout the DC area

• Must have an active Top Secret/SCI with polygraph U.S Government issued Security Clearance. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, mathematics, physical sciences, or related technical field
• Advanced expertise in threat modeling methodologies and secure systems architecture
• Experience supporting applied research and development activities focused on sponsor technical gaps and mission innovation
• Experience with Linux kernel internals, low-level networking concepts, or systems programming
• Experience developing automation, scripting, or operational tooling supporting cybersecurity or communications analysis
• Experience with containerized or cloud-native infrastructure technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes
• Experience authoring technical white papers, security assessments, or engineering documentation for government or sponsor audiences
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical risks, architectural trade-offs, and operational impacts to senior leadership
• Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP, GIAC, GNFA, GSEC, Security+, or related cybersecurity certifications
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and leading multidisciplinary technical efforts
• Familiarity with operational cyber mission environments, secure communications ecosystems, and mission-focused engineering practices

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

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

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

Work Location Type:

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.

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