Okay, I've searched for project leader roles in McLean, VA within the defense industry, requiring a Top Secret/SCI clearance, full-time schedule, and 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or related fields. I have found 52 positions matching your criteria.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The role of Project Leader for the Assistant Secretary of the Army Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology within MITRE’s Army Concepts to Capabilities Department is fundamentally about strategic leadership and technical stewardship in highly complex, mission-critical defense acquisition projects. This position is designed for an experienced leader who not only commands deep technical expertise—spanning systems engineering, digital engineering, and autonomous systems—but also excels at navigating multifaceted stakeholder environments involving senior military and civilian government officials, industry partners, and academic collaborators. Success in this role hinges on the ability to translate high-level defense acquisition reforms and multi-domain operational demands into actionable, technically sound programs that accelerate prototyping, rapid fielding, and integration of emerging technologies. Strong project management expertise is needed to align diverse engineering teams and resources while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. Given the evolving, dynamic nature of defense acquisition and the need for applying cutting-edge methodologies like Model-Based Systems Engineering, AI, data architecture, and agile practices, the role demands intellectual agility, strategic foresight, and decisive judgment amidst ambiguity. The candidate must regularly handle mission-critical decisions that impact resource allocation, technical risks, and stakeholder engagement, with performance measured through mission impact, sponsor satisfaction, and the ability to drive cross-organizational integration of capabilities on the ground. Frequent interaction with top-level sponsors and co-location at government sites underscores the position’s high visibility and the imperative for strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence and lead effectively in a demanding environment.

Company Analysis:

MITRE is a unique, mission-driven organization operating as a federally funded R&D center focused on public interest challenges in defense, cybersecurity, healthcare, and more. Its not-for-profit status and charter to avoid commercial conflicts foster an environment rooted in integrity, objectivity, and long-term impact rather than profit—this shapes the culture into one that values innovation balanced with responsibility. The organization emphasizes technical excellence, collaboration, adaptability, and respect, creating a workplace culture receptive to risk-taking within a high-trust, mission-oriented context. Located in the National Capital Region with staff distributed nationally and internationally, MITRE operates at the vanguard of national security R&D, requiring employees to be flexible, mission-focused, and comfortable working across government and industry boundaries. The Army Concepts to Capabilities Department’s role within MITRE reflects a high-impact, strategic function that supports the Army's modernization priorities and acquisition reforms, making the Project Leader role crucial for advancing national defense capabilities. This position sits at the nexus of technical innovation and government relations, offering significant visibility to senior leadership and the chance to influence major defense initiatives. Candidates should align with MITRE's values of collaboration, speed, adaptability, and rigorous technical problem-solving. The company’s commitment to professional growth, diversity, and workplace balance suggests that succeeding here requires not only technical acumen but also cultural fit, emotional intelligence, and a proactive approach to managing complex stakeholder networks while supporting the well-being of one's team.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to lead a technically diverse team through a challenging project with evolving objectives. How did you maintain alignment and deliver results?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you had to engage senior military or government stakeholders to influence the direction of a complex acquisition or technology project.
• Behavioral: Can you share an example of how you fostered a culture of belonging and collaboration across interdisciplinary teams in a high-pressure environment?
• Behavioral: Tell me about a decision you made with incomplete information that impacted a mission-critical program. What was your approach and what was the outcome?
• Technical/Role-Specific: How would you apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices to improve the integration of multi-domain defense technologies in a project?
• Technical/Role-Specific: Explain your experience with the Army’s Unified Data Reference Architecture and how you would advance data integration for acquisition programs.
• Technical/Role-Specific: Describe your approach to managing a rapid prototyping and fielding initiative within a defense acquisition framework.
• Technical/Role-Specific: What strategies do you recommend to lead cross-functional teams in the adoption of agile frameworks in complex government R&D environments?
• Situational: Imagine a key sponsor at the Pentagon requests a shift in project priorities mid-way through a major task. How would you manage this change while maintaining team morale and project integrity?
• Situational: You identify fragmented data pipelines impeding operational success in a project. How would you initiate collaboration across multiple stakeholders to devise and implement a solution?
• Situational: Suppose your team is split on the technical approach to a systems engineering problem with significant mission impact. How do you facilitate consensus and move forward?
• Company Fit/Motivation: What motivates you to pursue a leadership role at MITRE specifically, given its not-for-profit status and mission focus?
• Company Fit/Motivation: How do your personal values and working style align with MITRE’s cultural attributes such as speed, adaptability, risk-taking, and collaboration?
• Company Fit/Motivation: Given MITRE’s commitment to public interest and diverse collaboration, how would you leverage these aspects to enhance your effectiveness as a project leader?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: How does MITRE measure the success and impact of a project leader in the Army Concepts to Capabilities Department over the first year?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: Can you describe the typical collaboration dynamics between MITRE staff and senior government stakeholders in this role?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: What opportunities exist within MITRE to continue developing leadership skills and technical expertise, especially in emerging areas like AI and data architectures?