Systems Acquisition, Principal

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 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 ye