Principal Radiation Architecture Engineer

Draper; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace flexibility

Employee clubs

Health and finance workshops

Discounts to local museums

Job summary

Draper is seeking a Principal-level Radiation Architecture Engineer to support cross-functional teams in developing system concepts for radiation environments. The role demands strong leadership, notable experience in radiation hardening, and effective team collaboration.

The successful candidate will mentor junior engineers, support engineering decisions, and ensure successful product lifecycle management while working primarily on-site. A competitive salary band of $95,000 – $245,000 is offered based on experience and location.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of Radiation Engineering or related experience.
• Hands-on experience in delivering radiation hardened systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead medium-size teams.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering decisions based on radiation effects on system performance.
• Design and verify the performance of systems against radiation effects.
• Independently drive solutions to complex problems.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Understanding of radiation interactions

Education

Bachelor's in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering

Master's degree or PhD (preferred)

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 Contested Environment System Analysis group is seeking a Principal‑level Radiation Architecture Engineer to support cross‑functional teams to develop system concepts, architectures, and requirements that support operation in natural and hostile radiation environments. The candidate is expected to have hands on experience in delivering radiation hardened systems, including what is necessary to ensure a system meets performance requirements in these environments.

The candidate will be expected to work effectively in a team environment, mentor junior engineers, and communicate progress and results through published reports and presentations. This role requires at least 60% time on‑site at a Draper campus.

Duties / Responsibilities

• 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 that 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.
• Sustained record of successful task leadership. Identifies risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies for them.
• Demonstrated ability to lead medium‑size teams (5‑10 people). Reliably aligns team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) able to perform advanced radiation effects analyses.
• Able to provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges and disciplines.
• Identify program/system‑level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies for them.
• Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers.
• Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time‑management skills to achieve program goals.
• Actively mentors. Recognizes strengths and weaknesses in others and provides thoughtful constructive feedback.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

Skills / Abilities

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

Education

Requires a Bachelor's in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or other relevant field. A Master's degree, or PhD is preferred.

Experience

7‑10 years Radiation Engineering or related experience.

Additional Job Description

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

Location

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139‑3563.

Salary

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $95,000.00 – $245,000.00.

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.

Benefits

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].