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:

The Advanced Transportation Operations Division’s (P220’s) Holistic Performance Department (P224) is currently seeking a Department Manager to lead an organization that partners closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other stakeholders in enabling an integrated aerospace operation; optimized to the increasing variety and volume of new vehicles, missions, and operations. The Holistic Performance department is working to enable enterprise-level performance improvements in transportation operations across all elements of the operating environment while balancing efficiency, safety, environmental impacts, resilience and access equity. While the current focus is on aerospace operations, our future work will cover other modes of transportations as well to provide inter-modal, whole-of-nation solutions that advance transportation operations at large.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Department Manager (DM) will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for the department to shape the work program in alignment with CIT’s overarching strategy; ensuring the delivery of high-quality technical work products that enable the accomplishment of appropriate sponsor strategic and project level outcomes; and managing department staff including hiring and continuous development to help increase opportunities for significant impact. This involves leading a diverse team of 40 - 50 aviation professionals in the technical delivery and growth of multiple portfolios worth 10 – 15 million dollars annually, currently focused on advancing and integrating conventional airspace, uncrewed and commercial space operations in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) and globally.

The ideal candidate will serve as an exemplary model of MITRE’s cultural and behavioral attributes of Speed, Risk-taking, Adaptability, Grace and Respect, and Collaboration, and will:

Naturally develop close working relationships and serve as a trusted advisor to sponsor counterparts across the FAA and specifically in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Defense (DoD).Thrive on providing technical and domain-specific knowledge, leadership, and influence across multiple operationally focused stakeholders (internally and externally) to move the FAA’s and other sponsors’ missions forward.Demonstrate collaborative spirit in building relationships and working across MITRE, and with external organizations to develop opportunities on sponsor-based work programs, cutting edge research in the MITRE Innovation Program, and other initiatives.

Basic Qualifications:

Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 10 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 7 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.Entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen with significant experience growing work programs, including those that require integration across multiple organizations and disciplines.Excellent communication skills with all levels of sponsors, and internal management and staff.Proven leadership skills managing and motivating employees, and creating an inclusive environment.Excellent staff development skills and demonstrated ability to build, retain, and grow high performance teams in potentially disparate locations.Successful engagement, relationship building, and collaboration record in a shared leadership model.Strategic thinking skills and a compelling vision for the future of the department.Ability to offer constructive feedback and have challenging conversations in a respectful, empathetic, and productive manner.Must have an active FAA Suitability clearance.Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in supporting the US DOT, FAA and the DoD, and in-depth understanding of their relevant missions.Substantial technical background in airspace and uncrewed operations, leveraging disciplines such as operations research and systems engineering, with keen interest in defining new innovation areas across a range of technical domains and demonstrated experience in leading projects.

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

Suitability - FAA

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Suitability - FAA

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$190,000 - $237,500 - $285,000 Annual

Work Location Type:

Hybrid

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 recruitinghelp@mitre.org for general support and collegerecruiting@mitre.org 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.