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Systems Engineer-Space and Mission Critical Systems

Draper Labs
555 Technology Square (Show on map)
Apr 14, 2026

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 Space and Mission Critical Systems group at Draper is seeking a motivated Systems Engineer to perform key systems engineering tasks in a model-based environment, using formal development and verification processes in support of Draper's National Security and Space business areas. Leveraging Draper's expertise in a variety of fields, the candidate will support the group's mission in developing early-stage concepts all the way through to verified, fully-functional, deployed solutions.

This position will involve the following:
*Developing systems concepts, requirements, and architectures
*Highly robust system engineering practices for mission critical systems
*Development of radiation tolerant systems
*Predicting and analyzing mission performance and reliability
*Use of Model Based Systems Engineering Tools

The ideal candidate will be capable of working and communicating effectively with team members from multiple engineering disciplines, program management, senior engineering management, and customers.

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.
* Help define and execute system engineering lifecycle assignments and analysis approaches for a particular problem and independently execute assignments
* Contribute high quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance
* Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design decisions 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
3-5 years experience in systems engineering with emphasis in requirements engineering.

Additional Job Description:

Required Qualifications

  • B.S. with 4+ years', or M.S. (preferred) with 2+ years' experience in a relevant engineering discipline. (Internships and co-ops may be considered for experience.)
  • Experience with two or more of the following: stakeholder needs and use case analysis, requirements development and management, system architecture and conceptual design, operational concept development, ICD development, risk management
  • Excellent communication skills, especially in preparing and delivering presentations to customers, management, and technical personnel

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certification or degree in Systems Engineering
  • Experience with DOORS requirements management tool
  • Experience with Matlab and Simulink
  • Experience with MagicDraw / Cameo MBSE tools
  • Certification in MBSE and/or SysML
  • Experience modeling, simulating, or analyzing systems in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft, GN&C, Autonomous Vehicles (Air, Ground or Underwater).

Security Requirement

  • Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a United States government security clearance and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Current in-scope Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility is highly desired.

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

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$75,000.00 - $156,000.00

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. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

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 hr@draper.com.

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