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 2 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 full development lifecycle assignments, from requirements capture to deployment with some oversight.
• Provide content for technical reports and presentations with appropriate guidance
• Adapt appropriately to changes in program priorities and requirements
• Identify challenges associated with assigned work and communicate them to project leadership
• 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
• Help define, plan, and execute engineering analyses/design trades
• Contribute high quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance
• Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design decisions and communicate them to project leadership.
• 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
3-5 years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Additional Job Description:

The Strategic Weapon Systems division at Draper is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Research Engineer to work within multi-disciplinary 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 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.

 

Duties and responsibilities may include:

Identification of customer mission needs and development of use cases;Analysis of mission use cases to derive subsystem requirements;Conceptualization of novel GNC hardware, software, and system solutions;Detailed functional and performance modeling of component technologies;Development of research proposals and plans;Development of test strategies/plans for prototype technology;Analysis of performance and test data;Interaction with academic collaborators;Briefing of results to leadership and government sponsors.

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 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;Foundational knowledge of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) technology;Thesis or dissertation research relevant to enabling GNC or strategic missions;Demonstrated ability to formulate a research program plan and write proposals;Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis;Strong presentation skills and the ability to articulate complex technical ideas.

Any of the following additional qualifications are highly desirable:

2+ years of professional experience in development of defense/space systems;Deep expertise with respect to either/both GNC hardware/software technology;Domain experience with respect to strategic weapon systems, as defined above;Experience with multi-objective optimization techniques;Experience with model-based systems engineering and system modeling using SysML.

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.