Distinguished Space Systems Engineer

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper is seeking a Space Systems Engineer in Cambridge, MA to design, develop, test, and support systems for manned spaceflight and lunar activities. You will work in multi-disciplinary teams on use cases, requirements flow-down, architecture, interfaces, and verification, documenting analyses and presenting results.

A successful candidate will bring 10–15+ years of experience, strong collaboration skills, and a commitment to delivering mission-critical technology solutions with national impact.

Qualifications

• Two or more of the following: requirements management, spacecraft subsystems analysis, MBSE/CONOPs development, ICD management, analysis tools and scripting, DRM/mission model work.
• Spacecraft subsystems analysis incl. propellant budgeting, on-orbit fuel, RF link budgets, mission life estimates.
• MBSE (MagicDraw / Cameo) or CONOPs development; capturing functional flows and system behavior.
• ICD management: drafting, reviewing and maintaining clear interface baselines.
• Development and maintenance of analysis scripts (Python, MATLAB, STK, STOL).
• Author or review program data products and DRM-level models.

Responsibilities

• Independently drive solutions to complex, multidisciplinary problems aligned with customer priorities.
• Help customers shape needs and develop requirements for programs solving major technical challenges.
• Lead large multidisciplinary teams and align them toward program goals.
• Serve as SME in systems engineering and advance state-of-the-art solutions.
• Identify cross‑program risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Mentor others and contribute to depth in area of expertise.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Requirements management

Spacecraft subsystems analysis

MBSE (SysML) & CONOPs

Interface control / ICDs

Analysis tools & scripting

Mission modeling & simulations

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/mathematics

Master's degree or higher preferred

Tools

MagicDraw / Cameo

Python

MATLAB

STK / STOL

Job description

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 Space and Mission Critical Systems group at Draper is seeking a Space Systems Engineer with broad technical skills to work within multi-disciplinary teams to design, develop, test, and/or support systems for manned space flight and lunar activities.

Tasking may include: identification of customer needs, development of use cases, requirements analysis and flow-down, system concept/architecture development (including analysis of alternatives), system and mission design, interface definition/control, system integration/verification/test planning, development of systems engineering documentation, model development, vehicle and mission-level simulation development, performance assessment, documentation of analysis results, and presentation of results to both internal and external stake-holders.

A successful candidate will be:

• Highly motivated to support the delivery of technology solutions that are of strategic importance to the nation
• Dedicated to developing the in-depth mission and technology domain expertise that enable the realization of such solutions
• A skilled collaborator, working with customers to understand needs, constraints, and expectations, as well as communicating engineering solutions and status

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Independently drive solutions to complex, multidisciplinary problems with a deep understanding of a customer's strategic priorities.
• Capable of helping customers shape their needs and develop requirements for programs that solve their most challenging technical problems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams (greater than 10 people). Aligns team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Systems Engineering.
• Contributes to advancing State of the Art (SOA) solutions and techniques in their field
• Able to analyze Draper strategy and work with management to build capability in key areas to help sustain business growth.
• Identifies risks common among multiple programs/technology areas/etc. and develops and executes mitigation strategies for them.
• Works to improve operations at the enterprise level. Identifies areas for improvement within the organization and uses positive collaboration practices to achieve change.
• Actively mentors and seeks opportunities to build depth for their area of expertise. Recognizes strengths and weaknesses in others and gives thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• 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

10-15+ years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Additional Job Description

Required qualifications

• Two or more of the following:
  • Requirements management: decompose mission level requirements down to subsystem level and trace them throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Spacecraft subsystems analysis: propellant budgeting, on orbit fuel needs, RF link budgets, mission life estimations, and day-in-the-life assessments.
  • MBSE (MagicDraw / Cameo) or CONOPs development: capturing functional flows and system behavior.
  • ICD Management: Draft, review, and manage ICDs and maintain clear interface baselines across disciplines.
  • Analysis tools and script development: Create and maintain these items (Python, MATLAB, STK, STOL, or similar) to automate calculations and visualizations.
  • Author / contribute to and review program data products, design reference missions (DRMs), and mission level models.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills:
  • Develop and deliver technical presentations for program milestones, readiness reviews, and seniorlevel briefings
  • Demonstrated experience fostering a culture of inclusion in the workplace

Current Active Top Secret Clearance is Required; SCI Eligibility is highly desirable.

Job Location - City

Cambridge

Job Location - State

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code

02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $100,000.00 - $275,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

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.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity 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, 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 [e-mail].