Systems Acquisition, Principal

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Department Summary MITRE's CAMS (Cost, Acquisition, and Management Sciences) team is MITRE’s innovation center focused on advancing the art and science of cost analysis, acquisition, and management for national security missions. Our multidisciplinary team delivers objective, data-driven insights to help government sponsors make informed decisions about resource allocation, technology investments, and acquisition strategies. By combining deep expertise in cost estimation, acquisition policy, operations research, and analytics, CAMS enables sponsors to accelerate modernization, transition emerging technologies, and solve complex management challenges. We foster collaboration across government, industry, and academia—driving innovation and shaping resilient, effective solutions for the nation’s most critical missions. And above all - we bring objectivity, innovation, courage, and technical excellence to help our sponsors make the right decision.

Roles & Responsibilities CAMS is seeking a well-connected and recognized expert on defense acquisition and innovation. The ideal candidate will be a credible authority on defense acquisition, emerging technologies, and national security processes. You will belong to a high-performing team that regularly initiates and implements projects in support of sponsors’ strategic initiatives, often before a sponsor can fully recognize or articulate that they are needed. The team may publish, speak at high visibility events, and advise senior government officials.

• Effectively engage and motivate sponsors, stakeholders, and the larger enterprise on acquisition modernization and agility topics ranging from acquisition policy to technology assessments, commercialization, and mission needs.
• Develop and propose innovative strategies, policies, and processes that improve defense acquisition outcomes, ranging from programs, portfolios, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Contribute with impact as part of one or more integrated product teams to enable DoD to transition emerging technologies and prototypes.
• Strategically communicate internally and externally on key issues related to defense acquisition.
• Build and manage relationships between senior sponsors, MITRE, and other stakeholders (Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), think tanks, Industry, academia).
• Increase collaboration and coordination on acquisition reform and improvement issues across policy, practice, and academic domains.
• Provide subject matter expertise on DoD acquisition practices at Joint and Service echelons, to include Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), processes applied across the defense innovation and rapid acquisition ecosystems, and working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Register (FAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), in order to inform and guide reform and transformation initiatives.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a 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.

• Broad exposure and significant roles across the DoD’s acquisition environment, including the innovation ecosystem.

• Possession of an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification at a minimum of Level II in Program Management (PM), or equivalent DAWIA certification, demonstrating validated proficiency in defense acquisition principles, program execution, and compliance or on track to achieve

• Track record of providing successful thought leadership in applying, teaching, or leading defense acquisition reform or modernization – prior experience as an acquisition professional, by itself, is not sufficient for this role.

• Experience building coalitions and communities that span multiple organizations across government and the private sector.

• Strong critical thinking, analytic, and problem-solving skills – comfortable working in dynamic settings where task objectives may evolve or need to be shaped, or creative solutions to task impediments must be identified.

• Demonstrated ability to work in team settings, to include establishing formal or informal teams or alliances which coordinate across technical and organizational boundaries to achieve significant mission outcomes.

• Strong interpersonal skills as well as effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Working familiarity with all aspects of DoD Adaptative Acquisition Framework, in particular the software acquisition pathway, requirements, or resourcing processes – i.e., Defense Acquisition System (DAS), Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes, and/or Service-specific requirements and acquisition processes.

• Experience in three or more of the domain or functional areas adjacent to the key areas of modern acquisition reform, such as:

• Software development, including agile software development methodologies, DevOps, and/or cloud-based capabilities
• Cyber security or cyber operations
• Conventional/nuclear command and control
• Missile warning/defense
• Joint or service logistics
• Simulations and wargaming Other Joint force application or support
• DoD critical technology areas
• Test & evaluation, systems engineering, cost estimation, or program protection of acquisition programs related to any of the above
• The Defense industrial base and Supply Chain management
• Legislative and/or policy writing
• Foreign investment, compliance, and/or risk management
• Financial and/or crypto-currency analysis
• Business systems
• Willingness to visit Sponsor sites periodically for direct engagement and/or meetings.
• Active DoD Secret clearance
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site presence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance with access to Secure Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an Applied Science or Engineering.
• APDP Level III (PM) or equivalent DAWIA Level III/Advanced acquisition certification, or demonstrated equivalent expertise in large-scale defense acquisition leadership roles.
• Private sector experience defense, technology, or consulting industries.
• Experience working with OSD Research and Engineering and/or Acquisition and Sustainment staffs.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and leverage a strong professional network to provide thought leadership across the acquisition enterprise.
• Demonstrated ability leading critical acquisition modernization or reform efforts with visibility and trust at high levels of government and/or industry.

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

Salary compensation range and midpoint: $157,200 - $196,500 - $235,800 Annual

Work Location Type: Hybrid

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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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