Principal Systems Engineer

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit .

Job Description Summary:

The Space and Mission Critical Systems group at Draper is seeking a motivated Systems Engineer to perform key systems engineering tasks in a model-based environment (MBSE), using formal development and verification processes in support of Draper's National Security and Space (NS&S) business area. Leveraging Draper's expertise in spacecraft systems (for Earth orbit, lunar, and deep space applications), hypersonics, fault-tolerant avionics, autonomy, and/or guidance navigation and control (GN&C), the candidate will support the group's mission in developing early stage concepts all the way through to fully-functional deployed solutions.

Responsibilities:

1. Developing systems concepts, requirements, and architectures.
2. Predicting and analyzing mission performance and reliability.
3. Use of Model Based Systems Engineering Tools.

The ideal candidate will be capable of working and communicating effectively with team members from multiple engineering disciplines, program management, senior engineering management, and customers.

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Independently drive solutions to complex problems - develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
2. Sustained record of successful task leadership. Identifies risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies for them.
3. Lead medium-sized teams (5-10 people). Reliably aligns team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
4. Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Systems Engineering.
5. Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges and disciplines.
6. Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
7. Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers.
8. Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals.
9. Actively mentor. Recognizes strengths and weaknesses in others and provides thoughtful constructive feedback.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

1. Highly-organized, capable of approaching problems with a system-level perspective.
2. Strong oral and written communication skills.
3. Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis.
4. Practical experience with the systems engineering process.
5. Proficiency with modeling and simulation, computer language coding, descriptive modeling (e.g. SysML), STPA, and/or other engineering analysis tools may be required.
6. Knowledge of GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, comms/encryption, threat modeling or other technologies may be required as defined in the summary.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field. Masters degree or higher preferred.

Experience:

7-10+ years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Additional Job Description:

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Job Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139-3563.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We understand the value of diversity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact