Senior Requirements Engineer

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper Labs in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Senior MBSE/System Engineer to translate mission goals into verifiable requirements and drive model-driven solutions. You will mentor teammates and lead process improvements within the DREAM Group, aligning projects with Draper’s strategic priorities.

Applicants must have 5–10 years in systems engineering, proficiency with SysML/MagicDraw, Python, and the ability to lead small teams while maintaining high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Derive and trace detailed requirements from system directives.
• Create and manage SysML models to represent requirements, interfaces, and architectures.
• Lead SOA solutions and cross-domain data workflows; develop Python tools for analysis.
• Follow QMS and engineering standards; identify process improvements.
• Lead small technical teams and mentor engineers and interns.
• Align projects with Draper’s strategy and customer missions; identify new business opportunities.
• Own assignments, manage scope, schedule and cost; communicate status.

Skills

system-level thinking

strong communication

MBSE

Python

leadership

security-minded

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's preferred

Tools

SysML

MagicDraw

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 SMTS will provide deep technical expertise across the full lifecycle of national security programs, translating system level mission goals into detailed, verifiable requirements and leading innovative, model driven solutions. Working in the Digital Retrieval, Engineering, Architecture, and Management (DREAM) Group, you will mentor teammates, drive process improvements, and ensure alignment with Draper's strategic priorities.

Core Responsibilities

1. Requirements Engineering
   • Derive detailed component level requirements from system level directives.
   • Maintain requirement traceability matrices linking requirements to architecture, design, and test artifacts.
   • Write clear, measurable, and verifiable requirement statements.
2. Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
   • Create and manage SysML models (e.g., MagicDraw) to represent requirements, interfaces, and architectures.
   • Conduct trade space analyses (TSE) to evaluate alternative designs and performance impacts.
   • Integrate digital twins and digital threads throughout the development lifecycle.
3. Technical Design & Implementation
   • Lead the development of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) solutions and cross domain data workflows.
   • Develop Python scripts or tools for custom requirement analysis and validation.
4. Process & Quality Leadership
   • Follow Draper's Quality Management System (QMS) and engineering standards.
   • Identify process gaps, propose improvements, and champion best practice adoption.
5. Team Leadership & Mentoring
   • Lead small technical teams (5 members), delegating tasks, tracking progress, and ensuring high quality deliverables.
   • Mentor junior engineers and interns, providing constructive feedback and fostering their growth.
6. Strategic Alignment & Business Development
   • Understand how projects support Draper's overall strategy and specific customer missions.
   • Engage with customers and internal partners to identify new business opportunities.
7. Project Management
   • Own assignments, manage scope, schedule, and cost, and communicate status to stakeholders.
   • Identify technical risks, develop mitigation plans, and execute them.
8. Professionalism
   • Maintain a respectful, collaborative work environment.
   • Navigate difficult situations with poise and uphold Draper's professional standards.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinate, schedule and 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.
• Lead 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.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to task planning and test development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in program requirements
• Lead small teams. Seeks to align team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges.
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback.

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

5-10 years experience in systems engineering with emphasis in requirements engineering.

Additional Job Description

Technical Skills

• Proven depth in a technical domain with a record of impactful project contributions.
• Proficiency in MBSE tools (SysML, MagicDraw) and tradespace analysis.
• Strong Python programming ability for data/workflow automation.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills; ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead small teams, mentor others, and drive project outcomes.

Desired Attributes

• Continuous learning mindset; active participation in conferences, training, and selfstudy.
• Ability to quickly acquire new technical skills to support adjacent program needs.
• Creative problemsolver who can develop innovative solutions.
• Collaborative spirit - seeks diverse perspectives and works across organizational boundaries.

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

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].

Job Location - City

Cambridge

Job Location - State

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code

02139-3563

US base salary range

$82,300.00 - $220,000.00

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.