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 www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

The Systems Concepts Engineer (SMTS) is responsible for the elucidation of mission needs, mission engineering, architecture/design trade space exploration for integrated hardware/software systems, simulation-based performance analysis for complex systems and system-of-systems, architecture definition using digital engineering (DE) and/or model-based system engineering (MBSE) frameworks, briefing of results to leadership or government sponsors, and development of research and development (R&D) proposals.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Independently execute system engineering lifecycle assignments.
• Adapt appropriately to changes in program priorities and requirements.
• Adheres to existing best practices and Quality Management System processes.
• Continues to expand their depth/knowledge in their technical discipline through formal and informal learning.
• Work within multi-disciplinary teams and independently execute assignments
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction
• Lead small teams (few than five people) and align team towards program goals.
• Provides insight and suggests design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities
• Highly-organized, capable of approaching problems with a system-level perspective.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis.
• Practical experience with the systems engineering process.
• Roles may require proficiency with modeling and simulation, computer language coding, descriptive modeling (e.g. SysML), STPA, and/or other engineering analysis tools
• 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
5-10 years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Additional Job Description:

The Weapon Concepts and Architecture group at Draper is seeking a Senior System Engineer to work within multi-disciplinary teams to architect next-generation hypersonic weapon system solutions for the war fighter.  This role will be of high interest to applicants that desire to participate in the conceptualization and development of new US military capabilities in strategic mission domains, as well as the enabling guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) subsystem technology.

 

Duties and responsibilities may include:

Identification of customer mission needs and development of use cases;Requirements development;Model-based analysis of alternatives for GNC design concepts;Modeling of system dynamics and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) loop;System performance simulation and analysis;Presentation of analysis results to both internal and external stake-holders;Development of systems engineering, design, and analysis artifacts/documentation;Technology roadmap development;Proposal development and briefing of senior leadership;Task planning and leadership.

 

A successful candidate will be highly motivated to: (a) support the delivery of technology solutions that are of strategic importance to the nation in the context of evolving threats from peer and near-peer competitors, and (b) build deeper expertise in both the core mission domain and underlying GNC/avionics technology.  Working in a dynamic team environment developing state-of-the-art weapon/GN&C systems will provide exposure to a wide range of advanced technologies as well as afford opportunities for increased leadership/impact on the development of new war-fighter capability.

Applicants must have the following key qualifications:

An M.S. degree or higher in engineering or physics;5+ years of post-graduate experience in development of defense/space avionics;Proficiency in systems engineering methods;Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis;Foundational knowledge of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) technology;Foundational knowledge of hypersonic weapon mission domain;Strong presentation skills and the ability to articulate complex technical ideas.

 

Any of the following additional qualifications are highly desirable:

Prior practical experience with respect to hypersonic weapon technology;Technical depth with respect to high altitude hypersonic flight environment;Technical depth for missile system guidance, navigation, and control (GNC);Prior professional experience for proposal development;Experience with multi-objective design optimization techniques.

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

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Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

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 hr@draper.com.