Senior Systems Engineer-Space and Mission Critical Systems

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 Space and Mission Critical Systems group at Draper is seeking a motivated Principal Systems Engineer to perform key systems engineering tasks in a model‑based environment, using formal development and verification processes in support of Draper’s National Security and Space business areas. Leveraging Draper’s expertise in a variety of fields – including GNC, Spacecraft Systems, fault‑tolerant computing, SBC development, and autonomous vehicles – the candidate will support the group’s mission in developing early‑stage concepts all the way through to verified, fully‑functional, deployed solutions.

• Developing systems concepts, requirements, and architectures
• Highly robust system engineering practices for mission critical systems
• Development of radiation tolerant systems
• Predicting and analyzing mission performance and reliability
• Use of Model Based Systems Engineering tools

• 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
• Identify risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies for them
• Lead medium‑sized teams (5‑10 people); reliably align the team toward program goals and build trust within the team
• Subject‑matter expert in systems engineering
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges and disciplines
• Identify program/system‑level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies
• Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers
• Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time‑management skills to achieve program goals
• Actively mentor, recognize strengths and weaknesses in others, and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback
  
  Perform other duties as assigned

• 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

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field
• Master’s degree or higher preferred

• 7–10+ years experience as a systems engineer or related role
• B.S. with 4+ years’ or M.S. (preferred) with 2+ years’ experience in a relevant engineering discipline (internships and co‑ops may be considered for experience)
• Experience with two or more of the following: stakeholder needs and use case analysis, requirements development and management, system architecture and conceptual design, operational concept development, ICD development, risk management

• Certification or degree in Systems Engineering
• Experience with DOORS requirements management tool
• Experience with Matlab and Simulink
• Experience with Magic Draw / Cameo MBSE tools
• Certification in MBSE and/or SysML
• Experience modeling, simulating, or analyzing systems in one or more of the following domains:
  Spacecraft, GN&C, Autonomous Vehicles (Air, Ground, or Underwater)

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a…