Senior System Requirements & Concepts Engineer

Draper; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 82,300 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper is seeking a System Requirements & Concepts Engineer to join their Transition to Production and Deployment group. This role involves developing system requirements for critical mission domains including strategic defense and hypersonic systems.

The position requires a Bachelor's in engineering or related fields, with 5-10 years of experience in systems engineering. Candidates must also hold a DoD security clearance. The salary range for this role is $82,300 – $220,000.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years experience in systems engineering with emphasis on requirements engineering.
• Existing DoD security clearance is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, schedule and participate in requirements assessments.
• Conduct requirements engineering, scheduling, and maintainability analysis.
• Lead small teams and align them towards program goals.

Skills

Systems engineering process

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)

Digital engineering tools/methods

SysML

Reliability analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

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.

Job Description Summary

The Transition to Production and Deployment group at Draper is seeking a System Requirements & Concepts Engineer to work within multidisciplinary teams to develop system concepts, system test concepts, requirements & architecture for in mission domains such as strategic defense systems, hypersonic and space systems, precision guided munitions, and autonomous air/sea vehicles.

• Lead design concepts through novel engineering approaches to drive new system development, upgrades and enhancements to future and deployed systems.
• Employ novel digital engineering techniques to develop and manage system requirements in a digital ecosystem of system requirements and design artifacts.
• Employ Model Based Systems Engineering approaches to lead systems development from concept, identification of mission and user needs, generation of use cases, system architecture and requirements.
• Support concept development through the system lifecycle with a focus on developing architecture, simulation and HWIL, and environmental test platforms for proof of concept, design development and prototyping with a path to system production and deployment.
• Engage with customers, cross‑functional teams and external partners to develop and manage requirements and interface designs for highly accurate strategic sensors, inertial navigation systems, fault tolerant computing, enhanced ground testing, integration and test environments, engineering qualification, factory acceptance test, and deploy system surveillance and upgrades.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Coordinate, schedule and participate in the requirements assessments.
• Assist in strategic technical planning, project management, performance engineering, risk management and interface design.
• Conduct requirements engineering, scheduling, reliability, development, evaluation, maintainability and analysis for training.
• Support the analyses and allocation of requirements.
• Assist in capturing and translating mission and customer requirements/needs into system/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, align team towards program goals, and build trust within the team.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and 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.
• 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 as required by the job.

Education

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

Experience

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

Desired Skills & Abilities

• Requirements and Design Compliance
  • Requirements Verification Traceability, System/Product Compliance Plans and Reporting.
  • System Verification Development, Management and Execution.
• Interface Development and Management
  • Familiarity with interface standards and interface coordination documentation: e.g., OSI Framework, DoDAF, SysML, Deterministic Communication Interface Coordination documentation, Development Management of Interface Signal and Message database or interface products.

Security Requirement

• Existing DoD security clearance is required.
• Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.

Job Location

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139‑3563

Salary

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $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 do 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].