Lead Engineer Jobs
Lead engineer jobs are open across technology, fintech, healthtech, and manufacturing, from mid-level to staff and principal, with specializations in backend systems, embedded software, and platform infrastructure. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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As an operator of Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), MITRE staff are tasked with applying their skills to impact programmatic and technical decisions of highest importance to the nation. The Advanced Wireless & SATCOM Department, which is part of the MITRE Technology and Engineering Infrastructure, Networking, and Communications Division, has as its mission to provide premier communications network engineering services for our customers at all classification levels. Our engineers have expertise in research, design, analysis, modeling and simulation, lab experimentation, field testing, and implementation of networks across a diverse set of networked communication environments including virtual, wired, and wireless. We are adept at combining networking research and innovation with practical hands-on experience to provide risk reduction and deployable solutions for our customers.
Roles & Responsibilities:
MITRE is seeking a strong candidate in satellite communications (SATCOM) to contribute toward a set of programs that are focused on advancing the understanding and utilization of commercial and military SATCOM in complex environments. This position will provide opportunities for professional growth through development, applied research, and innovation of SATCOM capabilities.
Specific duties will vary by project but will generally include a combination of research, design, analysis, testing, experimentation, modeling & simulation (M&S), and emulation of communications networks to solve our nation’s most complex problems. Those activities will include one or more of following:
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Support building & maintaining lab-based testbeds and conducting proof-of-concept experiments
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Development of M&S capabilities to assess performance of SATCOM systems in complex environments
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Conduct hardware and software experimentation to validate models or techniques
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Model performance and behavior of networks and user links in tactical environments
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Research emerging technologies
- Assist MITRE staff in analyzing, modernizing, and advancing sponsor work programs
Basic Qualifications:
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Requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
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Thorough knowledge of RF communications theory, including modulations, link budgets, error correction coding, channel effects, communication protocols, etc.
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An understanding of satellite systems operations, including orbital dynamics and typical payload processing.
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Some understanding or experience with military and commercial satellite systems
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Ability to effectively collaborate within a team environment to execute analysis and technical development tasks for SATCOM projects, mentoring junior staff to build team competency and productivity.
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Ability to interact with sponsors, including synthesizing mission challenges into technical tasks, developing analytical conclusions, building consensus on recommendations.
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Strong analytical skills, solid mathematical foundation, and familiarity with modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB and STK.
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Excellent verbal communication and writing skills.
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Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI 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.
- This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional qualifications that would be helpful or needed include an understanding of the following topics:
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Electromagnetic propagation
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Antenna design
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Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) experience in MATLAB
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Phased array beamforming and technology capabilities
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Digital signal processing and detection and estimation theory
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Anti-jam (AJ) and Low Probability of Intercept/Detection (LPI/LPD) techniques
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Surveillance and reconnaissance mission systems and capabilities
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Systems engineering for satellite systems
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Experience with testing and evaluation related to SATCOM
- Active Top Secret/SCI Clearance
This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCISalary compensation range and midpoint:
$147,200 - $184,000 - $220,800 AnnualWork Location Type:
Onsite
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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.
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Find Lead Engineer JobsLead Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy273

- JPMorganChase254

- Apple85

- GE Vernova73

- GE Aerospace69

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software54
- Consulting & Professional Services50
- Electronics & Hardware35
- Manufacturing23
- Construction & Real Estate23
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead engineer jobs.
- 7 or more years of software engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Proficiency in at least one primary language such as Python, Java, Go, or C++
- Experience designing and reviewing system architecture at scale
- Ability to mentor junior and mid-level engineers and conduct code reviews
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field
Tips for Your Lead Engineer Job Search
Quantify your technical leadership impact
Hiring managers for lead roles want to see scope, not just skills. For each project, state team size, delivery timelines you owned, and measurable outcomes like latency improvements or uptime gains. Generic achievement bullets get skipped at this level.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Tailor your resume to each stack
Lead engineer postings are highly stack-specific. A Python-heavy backend role and a C++ embedded role share almost nothing in what reviewers scan for. Reorder your skills section and project highlights to match the exact technologies listed in each posting.
Signal cross-functional experience clearly
Lead engineer interviews consistently probe how you work with product managers, designers, and stakeholders outside engineering. If that context is buried in your resume, surface it. Mention specific decisions you shaped beyond the codebase.
Prepare for system design at leadership depth
At the lead level, system design interviews expect you to drive trade-off discussions, not just propose architecture. Practice explaining why you ruled out alternatives, how you accounted for scale, and what you would do differently with more time.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
When you receive an offer, clarify what you will own technically before you finalize anything. Ask directly about team size, on-call expectations, and whether the lead role is individual-contributor-heavy or people-management-heavy. Misalignment here causes early turnover.
Lead Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead engineers?
The most active employers for lead engineers right now are Sargent & Lundy, JPMorganChase, and Apple, and the most openings are in California, Texas, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially concentrated in technology, defense, and financial services companies scaling their platform teams.
How many lead engineer jobs are remote?
About 73% of lead engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting strong demand for distributed technical leadership. Backend, platform, and cloud infrastructure lead roles tend to have the highest remote availability, while embedded systems, hardware-adjacent, and on-site manufacturing roles are predominantly in-office.
How do you become a lead engineer?
You become a lead engineer by consistently taking ownership beyond your assigned work as a senior engineer. Start by volunteering to drive technical design reviews, mentoring less experienced teammates, and coordinating deliverables across your team. Building a reputation for sound architectural judgment and reliable cross-functional communication is what moves you into formal lead roles, often without a title change first.
Can you get hired as a lead engineer without prior lead experience?
Yes, many companies hire engineers into their first lead role based on demonstrated leadership behaviors rather than a previous lead title. You strengthen your candidacy by documenting times you drove a technical decision end-to-end, onboarded teammates, or resolved cross-team blockers without being asked. Targeting companies going through growth phases or building new product lines gives you the best opening, since they often need leads and are willing to develop candidates internally.
What does the lead engineer interview process look like?
Lead engineer interviews typically include a recruiter screen, a technical phone or video round focused on coding and system design, and a full loop with engineering managers and senior engineers. The on-site or virtual loop usually emphasizes system design depth, leadership scenarios, and cross-functional collaboration. Many companies also include a presentation or technical review where you walk through past architecture decisions and how you guided your team through tradeoffs.
Where can I find and apply to lead engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to lead engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your stack, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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