Principal Systems Engineer

Draper Labs; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper seeks a Principal Systems Engineer in Cambridge, MA to apply systems thinking across strategic deterrent, missile defense, space and autonomous vehicle programs. You will lead modeling, risk analysis, and architecture studies within a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities include guiding customers, mentoring engineers, developing requirements, and advancing model-based engineering and simulation-driven decisions. Strong communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 7-10+ years experience as systems engineer or related role.
• Experience with data-driven algorithms and optimization for systems.

Responsibilities

• Independently drive solutions to complex problems and adapt to changing requirements.
• Mentor technical staff and development teams to meet deadlines.
• Lead medium-sized teams (5-10 people) and align them to program goals.
• Provide SME guidance in Systems Engineering and risk mitigation.
• Develop and teach best practices across engineering disciplines.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Communication

Modeling & Simulation

Requirements Development

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/math

Master's degree or higher preferred

Tools

SysML

MATLAB

Python

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 Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer 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 strategic deterrent systems, missile defense systems, hypersonic missiles, space systems, precision guided munitions, and autonomous air/sea vehicles.

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, to deployment, surveillance and performance monitoring, Draper applies a suite of Digital Engineering solutions to meet the needs of our projects.

For this role, we are seeking candidates with broad multidisciplinary interests in Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Model-based Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Software development and Integration, and Advanced Algorithms. The ability to communicate complex and abstract technical ideas to a broad profile of stakeholders is essential.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Work with senior leaders across Draper to analyze and capture customer and stakeholder needs, understand and evaluate relevant technology options, and apply advanced decision-making strategies to develop innovative system solutions.
• Maintain strong external presence in the Digital Engineering world as a thought leader and innovative thinker, understand external trends and map back to Draper needs and new business development.
• Conceptualize and lead the development of the appropriate solution for each project depending on the lifecycle needs, with a "Product Owner" hat.
• Bridge the knowledge gaps and across Draper. Build and promote cross functional teams to meet customer and internal needs.
• Lead complex assignments with minimal management direction and evolving task priorities. Mentor technical staff and development teams to successfully work to deadlines, often while successfully managing to multiple competing priorities.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• 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.
• Lead medium-sized teams (5-10 people). Reliably aligns team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Systems Engineering
• 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.
• 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 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

7-10+ years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Additional Job Description

• Experience with methodologies for Trade space exploration and analysis of alternatives under uncertainty. Experience in data visualization and story boarding
• Solid understanding of data-driven algorithmic disciplines such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Numerical optimization, Statistical and Probabilistic modeling etc. for systems with underlying physics and sparse multidimensional data. A passion to build quick turn-around prototypes, demonstrate proof-of-concept, and drive to productization
• Prior experience in technical leadership, stakeholder engagement and management
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other leading national experts in science and technology from academia, national laboratories, and industry who may have ongoing competing priorities and viewpoints.
• Ability to create and present senior level communications for internal and external customers.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in leading or involvement in organizational transformations
• Expertise with INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, Department of Defense Acquisition Framework, or other government or industry Systems Engineering standards
• Experience modeling DoD weapons, navigation, or communications systems
• Experience with new business development, generating white papers and new proposal content

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

Job Location - City

Cambridge

Job Location - State

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code

02139-3563

Salary and Compensation

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.

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].