Principal Systems Engineer for GNC Requirements and Interfaces

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

Job summary

Draper is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to develop and manage requirements and interface specifications for GN&C systems in defense, hypersonic, space, and autonomous vehicles. This role applies MBSE and digital engineering frameworks, eliciting stakeholder needs, defining use cases, and performing descriptive modeling.

You will lead medium-to-large teams, mentor engineers, and maintain traceability across lifecycle while driving architectures and system designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years in systems engineering with emphasis on requirements engineering.
• Experience leading teams and MBSE adoption across programs.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and participate in requirements assessments.
• Lead requirements engineering and analysis for training and interfaces.
• Drive solutions to complex customer requirements with MBSE.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Present requirements and interfaces to stakeholders.

Skills

MBSE

SysML

Modeling

DOORS

STPA

Coding languages

GN&C knowledge

Cyber/Security

Avionics architectures

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/math

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SysML tools

DOORS

Modeling tools

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.

Job Description Summary

The GN&C System Architecture group at Draper is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to develop and manage requirements and interface specifications for guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) systems in mission domains such as strategic defense systems, hypersonic and space systems, precision guided munitions, and autonomous air/sea vehicles. This role includes the application of systems engineering methods within a model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) and/or digital engineering framework. Responsibilities include the elicitation of stakeholder needs, definition of use cases and operations concepts, descriptive system modeling in SysML, requirement tree development and flow‑down, analysis of requirements and interfaces to define architectures and system designs, and requirements management through the product lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate, schedule and participate in requirements assessments.
• Conduct requirements engineering, scheduling, reliability, development, evaluation, maintainability, and analysis for training.
• Lead assessment efforts in conducting formal and informal evaluations and analysis.
• Independently drive solutions to complex problems—develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes.
• Identify risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Lead medium‑sized teams—reliably align the team toward program goals and build trust within the team.
• Subject‑matter expert (SME) in systems engineering.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and 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 mentor; recognize strengths and weaknesses in others and provide thoughtful constructive feedback.

Skills and Abilities

• Highly organized, capable of approaching problems with a system‑level perspective.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Practical experience with the systems engineering process.
• Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) and/or digital engineering (DE) tools/methods.
• Proficiency with modeling/simulation, computer coding languages, SysML, STPA, DOORS, and/or other engineering analysis tools may be required.
• Knowledge of GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, communications/encryption, or other technologies may be required as defined in the summary.

Education

Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

10+ years experience in systems engineering with emphasis in requirements engineering.

Additional Responsibilities

• Elicit stakeholder needs, define concept of operations, and identify the system context to bound the problem space.
• Work with subject‑matter experts across engineering teams to define requirements and interface specifications.
• Define expectations for verification and validation of requirements and interface specifications.
• Analyze requirements and interfaces to define architectures and system designs.
• Maintain traceability with higher‑ and lower‑level specifications as well as system architecture and design work products.
• Lead a culture of MBSE on Draper programs by establishing best practices and standards.
• Lead a team developing and managing one or more requirements & interface specifications.
• Present details of requirements & interfaces to both internal and external stakeholders.

Security Clearance

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

Salary

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $95,000.00 – $245,000.00. 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 do not include bonuses or benefits.

Location

City: Cambridge

State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02139-3563

EEO & Equal Opportunity Statement

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 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].