Senior Chief Engineer, Navy Strategic Systems

Draper; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance programs

Employee clubs (e.g., photography, etc

Discounts to local museums and culture

Job summary

Draper, based in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Chief Engineer for NSS to lead engineering across a portfolio of critical defense and aerospace programs. The role reports to the VP of Engineering and directs a team of 4–10 engineers, guiding strategy from proposal through fielding and sustainment.

The position emphasizes technical authority, strategic planning, customer engagement, and cross‑functional leadership while advancing Draper’s mission in national security, with up to 50% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in technical discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience directly related experience reflecting increased responsibilities over time.
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills with the ability to achieve results through others.

Responsibilities

• Excellence in program execution including phase gate reviews
• Engineering proposal coordination
• Responsible for the technical baseline, including review and approval of technical changes ensuring that modifications to the system do not violate performance or design requirements.
• Coordination of critical program resource allocation including staff, facilities, and capital equipment
• Business development and domain awareness
• Strategic planning and coordination including critical capabilities and technologies development

Skills

Executive leadership

Technical leadership

Customer relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Draper, based in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Chief Engineer for NSS to lead engineering across a portfolio of critical defense and aerospace programs. The role reports to the VP of Engineering and directs a team of 4–10 engineers, guiding strategy from proposal through fielding and sustainment.

The position emphasizes technical authority, strategic planning, customer engagement, and cross‑functional leadership while advancing Draper’s mission in national security, with up to 50% travel.