Requirements Engineer

Draper Labs; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper Labs in Cambridge, MA, seeks an MTS 1 Requirements Engineer to join the DREAM Group. You will support definition, analysis, and documentation of system level requirements for multi-domain national security programs under senior engineers.

You will apply basic technical knowledge, develop MBSE skills with SysML tools, and grow your breadth through learning while aligning with Draper’s processes and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 0–3 years of experience in systems engineering with emphasis in requirements engineering.
• Familiarity with MBSE and/or digital engineering tools/methods.

Responsibilities

• Assist in gathering and documenting functional and non-functional requirements from stakeholders.
• Translate high level mission objectives into clear, verifiable task level requirements.
• Contribute to requirement traceability matrices under senior guidance.
• Gain hands-on experience with SysML tools to create simple requirement models.
• Participate in trade space exploration to evaluate alternatives.
• Write basic Python scripts for requirement analysis or data automation.
• Follow Draper’s QMS and established best practices; suggest improvements when appropriate.
• Work closely with lead engineers and cross-functional teams; produce concise technical notes and status updates.

Skills

MBSE

SysML

OR/DOORS

Python

Modeling tools

Cyber/security

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/mathematics

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SysML tools (MagicDraw)

DOORS

Modeling/simulation 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. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary

The MTS 1 Requirements Engineer will join the Digital Retrieval, Engineering, Architecture, and Management (DREAM) Group to support the definition, analysis, and documentation of system level requirements for multi domain national security programs. Working under senior engineers, the incumbent will apply basic technical knowledge to well defined problems, develop a solid foundation in model driven engineering, and grow technical breadth through continuous learning.

Key Capability Areas

• Technical Depth & Breadth: Applies basic technical knowledge to well defined tasks and actively learns new tools or domains.


• Best Practice & QMS Adherence: Follows Draper's established processes and quality standards.


• Growth Mindset: Pursues formal and informal learning to deepen technical expertise.


• Problem Definition & Execution: Understands task level requirements, independently solves scoped problems, and conducts basic research when needed.


• Resource Utilization: Seeks help and leverages available resources; collaborates across teams.


• Strategic Awareness: Familiar with Draper's strategy, shows interest in customer missions, and contributes to proposals when asked.


• Process Improvement: Identifies and communicates task level inefficiencies to leadership.


• Project Management & Teamwork: Executes assignments on schedule, reports issues promptly, and holds self-accountable as an active team member.


• Professionalism & Mentoring: Maintains a respectful work environment and receives constructive feedback positively.

Core Responsibilities

1. 
   Requirements Engineering
   
   
   
   • Assist in gathering and documenting functional and non functional requirements from stakeholders.
   
   
   • Translate high level mission objectives into clear, verifiable task level requirements.
   
   
   • Contribute to requirement traceability matrices under senior guidance.
   
   
   
   


2. 
   Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Support
   
   
   
   • Gain hands on experience with SysML tools (e.g., MagicDraw) to create simple requirement models.
   
   
   • Participate in trade space exploration (TSE) activities to evaluate alternatives.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   Technical Design & Implementation
   
   
   
   • Support development of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) components and cross domain data workflows.
   
   
   • Write basic Python scripts for requirement analysis or data automation.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   Process & Quality Adherence
   
   
   
   • Follow Draper's QMS and established best practice guidelines; suggest improvements when appropriate.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   Team Collaboration & Communication
   
   
   
   • Work closely with lead engineers, cross functional teammates (systems, ML, data science), and external partners.
   
   
   • Produce concise technical notes, meeting minutes, and status updates.
   
   
   
   


6. 
   Professional Development
   
   
   
   • Attend internal training, webinars, and conferences to broaden technical skill set.
   
   
   
   

Duties/Responsibilities

• Participate in the requirements assessments.


• Assists in strategic technical planning, project management, performance engineering, risk management and interface design.


• Conducts requirements engineering, scheduling, reliability, development, and evaluation, maintainability and analysis for training.


• Supports the analyses and allocation of requirements.


• Assists in the capture and translation of mission and customer requirements/needs into systems/capability requirements and solutions.


• Assist in the assessment effort in conducting both formal and informal evaluations and analysis.


• Analyze assessment results and make improvement/change recommendations.


• Ensure assessment results and recommendations can be incorporated into the requirements documentation.


• Independently execute system engineering lifecycle assignments under the oversight of program leadership.


• 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.

Skills/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


• Roles may require proficiency with modeling/simulation, computer coding languages, SysML, STPA, DOORs, and/or other engineering analysis tools


• Knowledge of GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, comms/encryption, or other technologies may be required as defined in the summary.

Education

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field. Masters degree preferred.

Experience

0-3 years experience in systems engineering with emphasis in requirements engineering.

Job Location - City

Cambridge

Job Location - State

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code

02139-3563

Salary

$62,500.00 - $140,000.00

Job Description (additional info)

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.

EEO Statement

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].