Principal Radiation Architecture Engineer

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 Contested Environment System Analysis group is seeking a Principal-level Radiation Architecture Engineer to support cross‑functional teams in developing system concepts, architectures, and requirements that support operation in natural and hostile radiation environments. The candidate is expected to have hands‑on experience delivering radiation‑hardened systems, including ensuring that a system meets performance requirements in these environments. The candidate will work effectively in a team environment, mentor junior engineers, and communicate progress and results through reports and presentations.

This role requires at least 60% time on‑site at a Draper campus.

• Support engineering decisions based on radiation effects on overall system performance.
• Design, harden, and verify the performance of systems across multiple radiation effects, including dose rate, total ionizing dose (TID), neutron displacement damage (NDD), and single event effects (SEE).
• Support interdisciplinary teams to ensure radiation hardening is maintained across the product lifecycle.
• 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. Demonstrated successful task leadership.
• Lead medium-sized teams (5–10 people), aligning the team toward program goals and building trust.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert (SME) able to perform advanced radiation effects analyses.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, applying 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, recognizing strengths and weaknesses in others and providing constructive feedback.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with multi‑disciplinary program team members, leadership, and non‑technical personnel.
• Excellent analytical skills to support modeling and analysis tasks.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, especially in planning critical test and analysis activities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Team player able to work in a fast‑paced environment and balance multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Solid understanding of radiation interactions with materials and devices.

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. preferred.

• 7‑10 years of radiation engineering or related experience.

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

Location:

Cambridge, Massachusetts (Zip: 02139‑3563)

Base salary range: $95,000.00 – $. Compensation details are provided only for illustrative purposes and do not include bonuses or benefits.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper provides access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, services, programs, and activities. Requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting