Senior Systems Architect

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.

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The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Systems Architect to apply systems‑thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions to complex system‑and enterprise‑level problems. The Division works across multiple domains such as Navy, Air Force, and Missile Defense Agency, Strategic deterrence systems;
Electronic systems;
Space systems; and Biotechnology systems. Draper has adopted an integrated, model‑based, and data‑driven mindset in solving complex engineering problems spanning the entire product lifecycle. From early‑lifecycle problem definition and requirement management, conceptual system design and architecture, detailed modeling, model‑driven customer reviews, integration and testing, verification and validation, deployment, to surveillance and performance monitoring, Draper applies a suite of Digital Engineering solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

For this role, we are seeking candidates with broad multidisciplinary interests in Tradespace Exploration, Multi‑Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Model‑based Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Software development and Integration, and Advanced Algorithms. The ideal candidate will work as part of an interdisciplinary team and be able to become knowledgeable in various problem domains, identify relevant modeling and analysis techniques, develop or integrate multi‑domain models of required fidelity, conduct analysis, and present results that support system‑level analysis, performance trade‑offs, and decision‑making.

The ability to communicate technical concepts effectively with customers, engineers, managers, and other stakeholders of all relevant disciplines is a must.

• Independently execute system engineering lifecycle assignments.
• Adapt appropriately to changes in program priorities and requirements.
• Adhere to existing best practices and Quality Management System processes.
• Continue to expand depth and knowledge in 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 (fewer than five people) and align team toward program goals.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, applying 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.
• 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.

5‑10 years experience as systems engineer or related role.

• Knowledge and interest in interdisciplinary work spanning Systems Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Trade Space Exploration (TSE), Machine Learning and Data Engineering.
• Relevant…