Operational Test Director Jobs in Bulverde, TX (NOW HIRING)

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. MITRE's Research & Advanced Capabilities Development (N223) Department seeks an accomplished, proactive individual capable of serving as a sponsor-facing work leader and strategic work shaper for MITRE's work with government officials specifically focused on advancing the science of test and evaluation (T&E). This position supports the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research & Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) Developmental Test, Evaluation, and Assessment (DTE&A) office. The T&E portfolio leverages MITRE's broad and deep technical bench to identify, evaluate, and accelerate solutions through integration of mission engineering, systems engineering, and T&E to benefit the Warfighter. Roles & Responsibilities: This leadership opportunity will work across T&E, systems engineering, and mission engineering disciplines to shape new methodologies and tools for modernizing T&E. Leading a diverse MITRE team of approximately 13.5 staff years and integrating expertise from across MITRE, the project leader will develop practical approaches to connect T&E activities to acquisition, technical, programmatic, and operational needs and work closely with key government stakeholders, cross-functional working groups, and partner organizations across OSW Developmental, Operational, and Service organizations and industry. Responsibilities include: * Being a trusted MITRE interface to project sponsors : build/maintain trusted relationships with key government leaders and stakeholders alongside project Task Leads, serving as a strategic and technical trusted advisor to DTE&A leadership.
* Being accountable for the overall execution of the project's work program : negotiate entry/exit of major tasks; onboard new Task Leaders, serve as mentor/advisor, and provide performance feedback; manage project-level budget and assign task-level budgets; oversee task-level staff plans; and ensure major milestones are met on time, within resources, and to sponsor expectations.
* Leading by example : personally contribute to (or lead the development of) one or more high impact project deliverables; engage in long-term professional self-development to become/remain a credible MITRE voice on DTE&A topics, to include in developmental test, operational test, cyber, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, and modeling and simulation. This includes active engagement with DTE&A leadership and partner organizations to conduct research, tool development, and methodological studies to identify new approaches to agile, iterative, and decision-focused integrated T&E.
* Establishing high quality of project deliverables , in consultation with the Department Chief Engineer: ensure delivered products lead to successful, impactful sponsor outcomes; ensure Task Leaders follow corporate quality norms; review project deliverables and ensure appropriate peer review; and archive and appropriately share key deliverables.
* Bringing MITRE to bear for the project's sponsors : Support relevant strategic initiatives of MITRE and the Division/Department; and build partnerships between the project and other MITRE work programs, including our internal research & development program. Basic Qualifications: * Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a technical degree in engineering, science, math, cybersecurity or related field; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
* Knowledge and experience of DoW test, evaluation, acquisition, resources, and processes, including engineering principles.
* Demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment, working with government stakeholders, cross-functional teams and working groups, and integrate contributions from a variety of resources (people, tools, organizations).
* 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.
* Excellent interpersonal and technical communication skills, with the ability to write technical reports, present briefings, and persuasively speak to audiences of all backgrounds, including executives or senior customers.
* A demonstrated ability to build teams and work effectively across organizational boundaries.
* Prior successful experience managing budgets, execution, product delivery, and senior customer engagement for a R&D or Systems Engineering effort
* Ability to travel to sponsor sites at Pentagon and Mark Center bi-weekly. * Must have an active Secret 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.
* Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government issued Security Clearance.
* This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site. Preferred Qualifications: * Technical experience with agile acquisition, software pathway, middle-tier acquisition, digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, modeling and simulation, mission engineering, data strategies, multi-domain operations, or automated test approaches.
* Familiarity with DoW policy and guidance, including the DoDI 5000.89 and associated specialized topic manuals.
* Technical expertise in weapon system acquisition, developmental, and operational T&E.
* Familiarity with OUSW(R&E) structure and offices, including mission capabilities, critical technologies, and S&T communities.
* Active TS//SCI. 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/SCI Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 Annual Work Location Type:
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