Principal Computational Economist

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Department Summary:

MITRE’s Complex Systems Department (L644) brings together multidisciplinary expertise to address complex challenges across a broad range of national priorities through advanced modeling, simulation, quantitative analysis, and applied research. Our work spans diverse technical domains, including specialized capabilities in economics and computational finance, where we assess economic and financial systems, evaluate policy and regulatory impacts, and develop innovative analytical approaches to inform critical decisions. Working collaboratively with government, industry, and academic partners, we deliver rigorous, data-driven insights and solutions that strengthen decision-making and advance outcomes in the public interest.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Bridge economics and computational finance capabilities by developing interdisciplinary approaches to complex challenges involving economic systems, financial markets, regulatory policy, and financial stability.
• Apply advanced economic, econometric, statistical, and machine learning techniques to analyze complex datasets, identify trends, evaluate risks, and generate actionable insights.
• Develop and apply innovative modeling, simulation, and AI-enabled analytical approaches to assess the impacts of economic policies, financial regulations, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
• Design and conduct applied research, including developing research questions, testing hypotheses, and exploring novel analytical methods to address emerging sponsor challenges.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to integrate economic theory, financial domain expertise, and advanced computational methods into practical solutions for government sponsors.
• Engage directly with government stakeholders to understand mission challenges, evaluate alternative approaches, and translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Contribute to the development of new research opportunities, technical capabilities, and collaborative initiatives that advance the department's work in economics, computational finance, and AI/ML.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelors Degree or 8 years and a Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Financial Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Computational Social Science, or a related quantitative discipline, with significant relevant professional or applied research experience.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in economics and computational finance, including experience applying advanced quantitative methods to analyze economic systems, financial markets, financial institutions, or related policy and regulatory challenges.
• Demonstrated experience developing and applying advanced economic, econometric, statistical, computational modeling, or simulation techniques to complex, real-world problems.
• Hands-on experience applying machine learning, artificial intelligence, or advanced computational analytics to economic, financial, or other complex quantitative research problems.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate research questions, develop rigorous analytical frameworks, and lead innovative technical approaches to complex, ambiguous, or loosely defined challenges.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership on complex research or analytical efforts, including guiding technical approaches, mentoring staff, and coordinating work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate expertise across disciplines, collaborate effectively with diverse technical teams, and identify opportunities to develop innovative analytical capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated experience engaging stakeholders and translating complex technical findings into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret 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:

• PhD in Economics, Finance, Financial Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Deep expertise in advanced econometric methods, including causal inference, structural estimation, macroeconomic modeling, or general equilibrium modeling.
• Demonstrated experience developing and applying advanced AI/ML techniques, including predictive modeling, deep learning, generative AI, or other emerging computational methods to economic or financial applications.
• Experience developing computational models of complex economic or financial systems, including agent-based modeling, market simulation, stress testing, financial contagion, or systemic risk analysis.
• Specialized expertise in one or more areas of economics or finance, such as international trade and finance, financial market microstructure, banking and financial regulation, payment systems, digital assets, or financial stability.
• Demonstrated record of technical thought leadership, including developing innovative research capabilities, leading multidisciplinary research initiatives, publishing technical research, or advancing new methodologies.
• Experience shaping and leading research engagements with government sponsors or other external stakeholders, including identifying emerging challenges, developing research proposals, and translating technical capabilities into new areas of application.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex technical efforts across multidisciplinary teams and mentoring or developing other technical staff.
• Active Top Secret Clearance

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

None

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

Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$173,200 - $216,500 - $259,800 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

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.

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