Center for Transforming Health Chief Engineer and Scientist

Chief Engineer And Scientist Of The Center For Transforming Health (CTH)

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, collaboration, and career growth.

The Chief Engineer and Scientist of the Center for Transforming Health (CTH) at MITRE is directly responsible to and is a key thought partner and advisor for the CTH vice president, leading and driving innovation and the delivery of high-impact outcomes across the Health mission area.

To support and drive innovation and the continuous evolution of technical capabilities within CTH, the CTH Chief Engineer and Scientist will work with other CTH and MITRE leaders to lead the strategic direction of CTH investments and innovation, as well as coordinate with and represent CTH needs and innovation interests with the larger MITRE corporation investment and innovation efforts, by interacting with Chief Engineers and other leaders across CTH and with the larger MITRE community, our Sponsors, and the private sector.

As the lead coordinator and driver of CTH research and development (R&D) efforts and the coordination of these efforts with MITRE Labs, across MITRE Public Sector (MPS), and the whole of MITRE, the CTH Chief Engineer and Scientist will help drive innovation and leadership in the health sector as a whole, bringing the full capabilities of MITRE to these efforts.

The CTH Chief Engineer and Scientist has the final oversight responsibilities for overall CTH work program quality and serves as an advisor to Division and Department Chief Engineers and to other CTH leaders to support and coordinate Division work program quality efforts that are led at the Division level, to ensure impact, and support career development for technical leaders.

To help identify and drive CTH innovation efforts, the CTH Chief Engineer is expected to have direct work experience in the health and / or healthcare sectors and should be familiar with and capable of managing large and diverse research programs. The responsibility to manage and monitor MITRE quality programs requires experience and familiarity with MITRE and its operations or with managing quality operations for large health / healthcare government programs.

This executive role requires vision, exceptional leadership, and the ability to drive impactful programs in support of government agencies, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a matrixed organizational environment.

As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operator, the MITRE Center for Transforming Health (CTH) is a leader in innovation related to health policy and technology. CTH is dedicated to supporting our government Sponsors in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and along with working with and enhancing the ability of the private sector to succeed and support both government and private sector health and care needs, to address complex health challenges through innovative research, development and implementation.

One of MITRE's core missions is to innovate, in co-creation with our Sponsors, others across MITRE, and with the private sector to meet the needs of today in more impactful ways and anticipate the likely needs of the future in preparation for challenges. This work must meet the highest technical and quality standards to create maximum value for our Sponsors and the nation.

Roles & Responsibilities :

Strategic Planning and Execution

Monitor and engage with new and emerging challenges facing government agencies and the private sector, as well as identify innovative technologies and approaches.

Advise and collaborate with Managing Directors and the CTH Senior Leadership Team to refine and advance strategic priorities and implement operational efforts to achieve them.

Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CTH VP and Deputy Director.

Research and Innovation

Lead and coordinate R&D efforts to ensure investments and research within CTH, MPS, and MITRE Labs are aligned with CTH strategic priorities, Sponsor needs, and the broader health and healthcare sectors.

Identify new challenges in health and healthcare, and work with CTH leaders and others across MITRE to drive innovative solutions addressing current and emerging issues.

Collaborate with other health initiatives in MPS and MITRE Labs, coordinating research funding to optimize strategic priorities and address key challenges.

Work with MPS and MITRE Chief Engineers to build reusable capabilities that meet multiple Sponsor needs.

Monitor and evaluate the impact of programs and initiatives, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes.

Quality Program

Oversee CTH quality programs and support Division and Department Chief Engineers in optimizing the quality of work programs.

Become directly involved in quality management when necessary, until Division and Department Chief Engineers can resume oversight.

Provide systems engineering and program simplification guidance within CTH to reduce administrative processes, improve operational efficiency, and incorporate these approaches into work program development.

Growth Strategy

Identify and pursue new opportunities to collaborate with and support government Sponsors and other key stakeholders, providing advice, guidance, and coordination for CTH investment and research efforts.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, international organizations, and the private sector to inform innovation and advance the CTH mission, supporting Sponsors and addressing national healthcare needs and challenges.

Financial Management

Oversee CTH R&D budgets to ensure resources drive results and impact strategic objectives and work programs.

Ensure the highest level of fiscal acumen and responsibility for R&D efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement

Represent the organization at national and international forums, conferences, and meetings.

Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including government officials, partners, Sponsors, academia, the private sector, and media as necessary.

Advocate for the organization's mission and priorities, influencing policies and funding decisions, particularly those related to R&D and innovation.

Leadership and Team Management

Provide visionary leadership for CTH innovation and R&D efforts.

Contribute to staff development, talent assessment, and planning (including hiring, mentoring, and training), for senior staff across CTH and MITRE.

Partner with CTH managers on the recruitment, retention, and performance of Division and Department Chief Engineers, as well as other technical staff.

Integrate new leadership opportunities for Division and Department Chief Engineers and others, as the organization evolves its structure and job responsibilities to further advance organizational impact.

Basic Qualifications :

Minimum of 15 years of related experience in the health sector with a bachelor's degree; 12 years with a master's degree; or 10 years with a PhD or equivalent advanced degree in healthcare, science, or engineering; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating large, complex research and development projects within matrixed organizations.

Proven success in collaborating with senior leaders and driving innovation and R&D initiatives in a matrixed corporate environment.

Track record of managing work program quality and communicating effectively across diverse teams and business ecosystems.

Experience mentoring, training, and developing technical leaders.

Demonstrated ability to oversee and manage large-scale R&D budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and maximizing impact.

Experience developing and maintaining strong relationships with government agencies, international organizations, and private sector partners to inform innovation and advance mission objectives.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience representing organizations at national and international forums, conferences, and meetings.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Eligibility to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Ability to work on-site a minimum of four days per week, or in an approved telework arrangement with regular on-site presence.

Preferred Qualifications :

Systems engineering expertise, particularly as applied to health and healthcare domains.

Knowledge of data science, artificial intelligence, and emerging research advancements in health and healthcare.

Experience working with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), such as MITRE.

Current suitability check with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Experience influencing health policy, funding decisions, or strategic priorities at the federal or international level.

Familiarity with quality management systems and program simplification strategies