Applied Cybersecurity Engineer, Lead

MITRE’s Mission Assured Engineering Department helps protect national security systems through rigorous systems security engineering and practical cybersecurity support. This onsite role in Colorado Springs, CO brings direct, in-person impact as an applied security SME and trusted independent advisor to DoD sponsors, supporting secure, resilient design, assessment, testing, and evaluation activities.

What you’ll do

• Advise sponsors on developing and acquiring secure, resilient cyber-physical systems, with emphasis on protecting mission systems, strengthening defenses, and addressing security weaknesses.
• Use expertise in Systems Security Engineering and cybersecurity to conduct cyber assessments and support purple team engagements that improve defensive capabilities in fielded and acquisition systems.
• Provide recommendations to support security, resiliency, and safety requirements across the lifecycle, including how systems are specified, designed, developed, implemented, integrated, tested, and sustained.
• Collaborate with sponsors and DoD customers to define priorities, support planning and execution of cyber assessments, and deliver clear, actionable findings.
• Support development of systems security and cybersecurity strategy, system testing and evaluation, and verification and validation efforts.
• Work effectively across MITRE, government, and contractors, communicating through writing, presentations, and collaborative discussions with peers, managers, and sponsors.
• Promote cross-team collaboration and integration within the System Security Engineering department and across MITRE.
• Research and develop cutting-edge capabilities and processes for understanding, assessing, and analyzing system and technology resilience and security.
• Contribute to projects or small teams to solve complex cybersecurity problems for sponsors.
• Contribute to innovation of AI use cases applied to cyber operational challenges.
• Stay current with the rapid lifecycle of emerging technologies to maintain up-to-date support for sponsor programs.

What you bring

• Typically a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Demonstrated technical depth in Systems Security Engineering, cybersecurity, software engineering, or systems engineering.
• Experience developing or evaluating Systems Security Engineering solutions and capabilities.
• Ability to think critically and be proactive in research and problem-solving with minimal supervision.
• Understanding of MITRE sponsor missions, domains, and cybersecurity challenges.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with an open attitude toward supporting the work of others.
• Knowledge of D3FEND, ATT&CK, Caldera, ATT&CK Evaluations, and MITRE’s public interest work.
• Experience scoping and conducting adversary emulation, simulation, or purple teaming.
• Experience with hands-on red teaming, penetration testing, and other offensive security operations.
• Experience designing and leading threat-driven cyber exercises, including tabletop and readiness exercises, plus threat assessments that prioritize adversary and mission relevance for stakeholders.
• Active Secret U.S. Government issued Security Clearance, and eligibility to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship is required per U.S. Government eligibility requirements.
• Ability to be on-site at least 3 days.

Tools and technologies

• D3FEND, ATT&CK, Caldera, ATT&CK Evaluations

Compensation

USD 158,800 - 238,200 per year (midpoint shown in the salary range: $158,800 - $198,500 - $238,200 annual).

Clearance requirements

• Minimum clearance required: Secret
• Must have or obtain Top Secret/SCI within one year from the date of hire