Providakes began his career at Mitre Corporation in 1991 as a lead scientist, where he continued his research into the ionosphere and used it to help create a radar system that could detect aircraft over the horizon.[3]
He has held leadership positions on major efforts to modernize U.S. government infrastructure and create new capabilities for national security, public health, veteran’s services, and other applications.[4] As a senior vice president for Mitre's Center for Connected Government, Providakes testified during a 2013 hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding Mitre's assessment of issues with the HealthCare.gov website.[5]
In February 2017, Providakes was appointed as Mitre's president and CEO, leading defense, cybersecurity, healthcare, and guides the company’s stewardship of federally funded research and development centers. [6][7] Under Providakes’s leadership, Mitre has created new organizations including Mitre Labs, which reorganized the company’s research and development operations and talent into a single unit;[8] the Center for Data-Driven Policy, which provides “evidence-based, objective and nonpartisan insights for government policymaking;”[9] and the Center for Strategic Competition, which applies data analysis and simulations to tackle changing worldwide partnerships.[10]