Senior Navigation System 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.

The Strategic Weapon Systems division at Draper is seeking a Navigation and Global Positioning System (GPS) System Engineer to work within multidisciplinary teams to conceptualize and prototype advanced guidance technologies to enable new system capabilities that are of strategic importance to the nation. This role will be of high interest to applicants that desire to develop expertise in a broad array of both hardware and software GNC GPS technologies while remaining focused on delivering mission‑level capability solutions to the warfighter.

Relevant mission domains may include global strike and/or strategic deterrent systems, hypersonics, missile defense systems, space systems, precision‑guided munitions, and autonomous air/sea vehicles.

• GPS test data and performance analysis
• Conceptualization of GPS hardware designs
• Analysis of designs to demonstrate performance and functionality of GPS hardware
• Identification of customer mission needs and development of use cases
• Analysis of mission use cases to derive subsystem requirements
• Conceptualization of novel GNC GPS hardware, software, and system solutions
• Requirements development for simulation‑based performance analysis
• Development and execution of tests to check compliance with requirements
• Development of research proposals and plans
• Development of test strategies and plans for prototype technology

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 GPS 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 and impact on the development of new war‑fighter capability.

• Performs analysis approaches for a particular problem and independently execute assignments
• Independently execute system engineering lifecycle assignments; concept and architecture design, integration, testing and operation
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction – contribute to task planning and test development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in program requirements
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams (fewer than five people). Seeks to align team towards program goals and builds trust within the team
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges
• Identify program/system‑level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies for them
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback
• Work in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment including stakeholders and external partners
• Contribute to translation of requirements into technical and architectural decisions

• Excellent mathematical skills
• Thorough understanding of engineering theories and procedures
• Ability to collaborate within a diverse and multidisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time‑management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated knowledge of multiple problem domains, with ability to quickly become knowledgeable in new domains
• Identify and develop relevant modeling and analysis techniques, and develop…