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Defense Intelligence Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

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Defense Intelligence information

See Washington, DC salary details

$51.5K

$118.5K

$163.1K

How much do defense intelligence jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense intelligence in Washington, DC is $118,519.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,500.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is defense intelligence?

Defense intelligence refers to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information related to military capabilities, intentions, and activities of foreign entities. Its primary purpose is to support national defense policy, military planning, and operations by providing timely and accurate intelligence. Professionals in this field work to identify threats, assess risks, and inform decision-makers within the defense sector. Defense intelligence encompasses a variety of disciplines, including signals intelligence, human intelligence, and geospatial intelligence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in defense intelligence?

Success in Defense Intelligence requires strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and a background in fields such as international relations, security studies, or political science, often supported by security clearance. Familiarity with intelligence analysis tools, geospatial software, and secure communication systems, as well as certifications like Certified Defense All-Source Analyst (CDASA), are commonly valued. Excellent attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate threat assessments, protect sensitive information, and support effective decision-making in national security operations.

What are some common challenges faced in a defense intelligence role, and how can new hires effectively navigate them?

Professionals in Defense Intelligence often encounter challenges such as handling classified information securely, adapting to rapidly changing geopolitical situations, and synthesizing large volumes of complex data under tight deadlines. New hires can navigate these challenges by proactively seeking mentorship from experienced team members, staying current with ongoing training and best practices, and developing strong analytical and communication skills. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams and maintaining a high level of professionalism are also essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Defense Intelligence vs Intelligence Analyst?

AspectDefense IntelligenceIntelligence Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, security clearance, specialized trainingBachelor's degree, security clearance, analytical skills
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, military settings, classified projectsGovernment agencies, private sector, consulting firms
Employer & IndustryDefense, military, intelligence agenciesGovernment, private sector, security firms
Common Search & ComparisonDefense Intelligence vs Intelligence Analyst

Defense Intelligence professionals focus on military and national security data, often working within government and defense agencies. Intelligence Analysts have a broader role, analyzing various intelligence data for multiple sectors, including government and private industries. While both roles require security clearances and analytical skills, Defense Intelligence positions are more specialized in military and defense contexts.

Infographic showing various Defense Intelligence job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,519 per year, or $57 per hour.

Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE) Intelligence, Surveillance with Security Clearance

MITRE Corporation

Arlington, VA • On-site

$108K - $136K/yr

Other

Posted 25 days ago


MITRE Corporation rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

163rd of 450 rated engineering


Job description

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. Department Summary: Within MITRE's Engineering and Analysis Center, the Intelligence Mission Enablement Department enables informed decision-making by integrating intelligence analysis competencies and tradecraft, systems engineering, advanced analytics, and AI to solve complex national security challenges. We help sponsors frame mission problems, assess risks, and deliver evidence-based recommendations that inform strategy, operations, and policy. We ensure core tradecraft remains cohesive, scalable, and responsive to broader Intelligence Community (IC) priorities. Roles & Responsibilities: In this role you will serve as a Defense Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (ISR) systems engineer and operational intelligence targeting domain expert to the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security (OUSW(I&S)). You will provide technical and operational targeting intelligence domain expertise to enable the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE) to deliver timely and actionable intelligence information in support of future warfighting concepts designed to achieve survivable, rapid, and overwhelming long range fires capabilities where future Department of War (DOW) weapon systems will leverage DOW and IC intelligence capabilities to integrate space-based data to improve lethality, speed, and scalability. Operational targeting intelligence experience is crucial to contributing to OUSW(I&S)'s oversight of DOW experimentation efforts across the Military Services and designated Defense Agencies as they plan and conduct exercises and demonstrations enabling all-domain fires from distributed positions by integrating C2, platforms, sensors, shooters, sustainers, and weapons systems in a joint kill chain and kill web. In this role you will work closely and collaboratively with a diverse joint team comprised of government, FFRDC, systems engineering technical advisory (SETA) contractors, and related partner organizations. You will be part of a high-performance MITRE systems engineering and operational targeting intelligence team. Basic Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, Management Science/Operations Research, Systems Engineering, Business Systems Management; or relevant national security field) and at least 10 years of experience in diverse War technical or military intelligence domain roles with strong leadership and management abilities
* Experience as a senior staff officer serving at the Pentagon on the Office of the Secretary of War staff, and/or Military Service headquarters staff, and/or the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and/or the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
* Experience collaborating and interacting with senior-level Department of War military officers and senior executives
* Experience with the Department of War Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) processes for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) analytical systems, processing environments, or other user-focused capabilities
* Experience with the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE) space domain and related capabilities.
* Experience in technical or operational consulting roles, advising executive government leaders, and demonstrating the highest degree of professional and diplomatic skills in advocating technology and program directions
* Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications as demonstrated via interacting with technical staff, analysts, and operators ranging from junior-level contributors to senior executives
* Demonstrated skills and a commitment to building and sustaining high-performance teams, achieving team goals, growing trust, and collaboration
* Demonstrated success in providing sponsors with the data, analysis, and strategies required to address critical issues, setting, and meeting strategic objectives, and advancing short and long-term program goals
* Experience as a mission-focused, self-starter with creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities, able to function within an ambiguous and dynamic environment with minimal supervision
* Ability/willingness to work full-time onsite in the Pentagon 5 days a week
* Ability/willingness for minimal local national capital region and out of area travel
* An active Department of Defense TS/SCI clearance
* This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site Preferred Qualifications: * Possess a thorough understanding of military application of intelligence tradecraft, systems, processes, and Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE) governance.
* Demonstrated performance in strategic technical portfolio analysis of intelligence-funded programs within battlespace awareness, sensors, ground stations, or collection systems.
* Experience with intelligence-supporting processes and strategies (e.g. enterprise capabilities, intelligence cycle or application of intelligence principles to solve unique problems).
* Demonstrated capability in preparing General Officer/Flag Officer/Senior Executive Service level principals for DOW enterprise policy, oversight, and investment decision processes.
* Experience with DOW and Intelligence Community organizational and governance structures, policy generation processes, life cycle acquisition processes, and requirements processes.
* Experience with the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE) space domain and an understanding of the National Reconnaissance Office's information systems architectures. This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI 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:
$161,600 - $202,000 - $242,400 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 for general support and 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.

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About MITRE

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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, and a culture of innovation that embraces diversity, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, and career growth. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE-and make a difference with us. MITRE is a trusted operator of federally funded research and development centers and we're on a mission to make the world a safer place-for all of humanity, today and in the future. To deliver on our mission, we need the world's best talent and leaders-groundbreakers and partnership-builders on a global scale in areas like healthcare, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure resiliency, pandemic management, and cybersecurity. In return, we have the privilege of backing you with thousands of technical experts in diverse fields, a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing, access to data and resources uniquely available to MITRE through our wide-ranging partnerships across government, industry and academia.

Industry

It services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1958

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