Distinguished Space Systems Engineer

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 Space and Mission Critical Systems group at Draper is seeking a Space Systems Engineer with broad technical skills to work within multi-disciplinary teams to design, develop, test, and/or support systems for manned space flight and lunar activities.

Tasking may include: identification of customer needs, development of use cases, requirements analysis and flow-down, system concept/architecture development (including analysis of alternatives), system and mission design, interface definition/control, system integration/verification/test planning, development of systems engineering documentation, model development, vehicle and mission-level simulation development, performance assessment, documentation of analysis results, and presentation of results to both internal and external stake-holders.

A successful candidate will be

• Highly motivated to support the delivery of technology solutions that are of strategic importance to the nation
• Dedicated to developing the in-depth mission and technology domain expertise that enable the realization of such solutions
• A skilled collaborator, working with customers to understand needs, constraints, and expectations, as well as communicating engineering solutions and status

Candidates are encouraged to include a cover letter that describes their interest in this position.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Independently drive solutions to complex, multidisciplinary problems with a deep understanding of a customer's strategic priorities.
• Capable of helping customers shape their needs and develop requirements for programs that solve their most challenging technical problems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams (greater than 10 people). Aligns team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Systems Engineering.
• Contributes to advancing State of the Art (SOA) solutions and techniques in their field
• Able to analyze Draper strategy and work with management to build capability in key areas to help sustain business growth.
• Identifies risks common among multiple programs/technology areas/etc. and develops and executes mitigation strategies for them.
• Works to improve operations at the enterprise level. Identifies areas for improvement within the organization and uses positive collaboration practices to achieve change.
• Actively mentors and seeks opportunities to build depth for their area of expertise. Recognizes strengths and weaknesses in others and gives thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Highly-organized, capable of approaching problems with a system-level perspective.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis.
• Practical experience with the systems engineering process.
• Roles may require proficiency with modeling and simulation, computer language coding, descriptive modeling (e.g. SysML), STPA, and/or other engineering analysis tools
• Knowledge of GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, comms/encryption, threat modeling or other technologies may be required as defined in the summary.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field. Masters degree or higher preferred.

Experience

10-15+ years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Required qualifications

• Two or more of the following:
• Requirements management: decompose mission level requirements down to subsystem level and trace them throughout the project lifecycle.
• Spacecraft subsystems analysis: propellant budgeting, on orbit fuel needs, RF link budgets, mission life estimations, and day-in-the-life assessments.
• MBSE (MagicDraw / Cameo) or CONOPs development: capturing functional flows and system behavior.
• ICD Management: Draft, review, and manage ICDs and maintain clear interface baselines across disciplines.
• Analysis tools and script development: Create and maintain these items (Python, MATLAB, STK, STOL, or similar) to automate calculations and visualizations.
• Author / contribute to and review program data products, design reference missions (DRMs), and mission level models.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills:
• Develop and deliver technical presentations for program milestones, readiness reviews, and senior-level briefings
• Demonstrated experience fostering a culture of inclusion in the workplace

• Current Active Top Secret Clearance is Required; SCI Eligibility is highly desirable.
• Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

• Job Location - City: Cambridge
• Job Location - State: Massachusetts
• Job Location - Postal Code: 02139-3563

Pay and benefits

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $100,000.00 - $275,000.00

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.

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.