GNC Research Engineer

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory • Cambridge, MA

5d • $75,000 - $156,000

About The Position

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 Hypersonic and Advanced Weapons group at Draper is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Research Engineer to work within multi-disciplinary teams to design and analyze next-generation weapon system concepts for the war fighter. This role will be of high interest to applicants that desire to participate in the research and development (R&D) of new US military capabilities in both strategic and tactical mission domains, with specific focus on the design of enabling guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) subsystem technology. An ideal candidate for this role would match the following description: a) Systems analyst or research engineer with experience in defense/missile applications. b) Desire to shape/innovate solutions to complex problems of national importance. c) GNC technologist with strong foundational understanding of both hardware and algorithms. d) Demonstrated ability to independently propose, plan, and lead research efforts. e) Relevant MS thesis (or PhD dissertation) or prior professional R&D experience. f) Highly motivated to support the maintenance of our national strategic deterrence. g) Demonstrated ability for system and mission level thinking; highly motivated to find the technology that solves the problem, not the problem that fits the technology. Working in a dynamic team environment developing state-of-the-art weapon/GN&C systems will provide exposure to a wide range of advanced technologies as well as afford opportunities for increased leadership/impact on the development of new war-fighter capability. Job Description: Duties/Responsibilities Independently execute system engineering full development lifecycle assignments, from requirements capture to deployment with some oversight. Provide content for technical reports and presentations with appropriate guidance Adapt appropriately to changes in program priorities and requirements Identify challenges associated with assigned work and communicate them to project leadership Adheres to existing best practices and Quality Management System processes. Continues to expand their depth/knowledge in their technical discipline through formal and informal learning. Work within multi-disciplinary teams and independently execute assignments Help define, plan, and execute engineering analyses/design trades 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. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 3-5 years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Nice To Haves

• Masters degree or higher preferred.
• Systems analyst or research engineer with experience in defense/missile applications.
• Desire to shape/innovate solutions to complex problems of national importance.
• GNC technologist with strong foundational understanding of both hardware and algorithms.
• Demonstrated ability to independently propose, plan, and lead research efforts.
• Relevant MS thesis (or PhD dissertation) or prior professional R&D experience.
• Highly motivated to support the maintenance of our national strategic deterrence.
• Demonstrated ability for system and mission level thinking; highly motivated to find the technology that solves the problem, not the problem that fits the technology.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute system engineering full development lifecycle assignments, from requirements capture to deployment with some oversight.
• Provide content for technical reports and presentations with appropriate guidance
• Adapt appropriately to changes in program priorities and requirements
• Identify challenges associated with assigned work and communicate them to project leadership
• Adheres to existing best practices and Quality Management System processes.
• Continues to expand their depth/knowledge in their technical discipline through formal and informal learning.
• Work within multi-disciplinary teams and independently execute assignments
• Help define, plan, and execute engineering analyses/design trades
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees