Principal Systems Engineer
About The Position
Draper’s Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division seeks a Principal Systems Engineer to apply systems thinking and advanced methodologies to complex system- and enterprise-level problems. The Division works across domains including strategic deterrent systems, missile defense, hypersonic missiles, space systems, precision-guided munitions, and autonomous air and sea vehicles. Draper uses integrated, model-based, and data-driven approaches across the product lifecycle, from problem definition and requirements management through system design, modeling, customer reviews, integration and testing, verification and validation, deployment, surveillance, and performance monitoring. The role calls for broad multidisciplinary interests in multidisciplinary analysis and optimization, model-based engineering, modeling and simulation, software development and integration, and advanced algorithms. The engineer must communicate complex technical ideas to a broad range of stakeholders. The Principal Systems Engineer works with senior leaders to understand customer and stakeholder needs, assess technology options, and develop system solutions. The position leads solution development according to project lifecycle needs, promotes cross-functional collaboration, and maintains an external presence in the digital engineering community. It also involves leading complex assignments with minimal direction, mentoring technical staff, and guiding teams through deadlines and competing priorities. Candidates selected for the position must obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related field.
- 7–10+ years of experience as a systems engineer or in a related role.
- Subject-matter expertise in Systems Engineering.
- Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis and the systems engineering process.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to approach problems from a system-level perspective.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Sustained record of successful task leadership, including identifying risks and developing and executing mitigation strategies.
- Ability to lead medium-sized teams of 5–10 people and align them with program goals.
- Experience with trade-space exploration and analysis of alternatives under uncertainty.
- Experience in data visualization and storyboarding.
- Understanding of data-driven algorithmic disciplines such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, numerical optimization, and statistical and probabilistic modeling for systems with underlying physics and sparse multidimensional data.
- Ability and interest in building rapid prototypes, demonstrating proof of concept, and driving solutions toward productization.
- Prior experience in technical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and management.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with experts from academia, national laboratories, and industry, including those with competing priorities and viewpoints.
- Ability to create and present senior-level communications for internal and external customers.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
- Depending on the role, proficiency may be required in modeling and simulation, computer-language coding, descriptive modeling such as SysML, STPA, and/or other engineering analysis tools.
- Depending on the role, knowledge may be required in GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, communications/encryption, threat modeling, or other technologies.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree or higher.
- Experience leading or participating in organizational transformations.
- Expertise with the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, the Department of Defense Acquisition Framework, or other government or industry Systems Engineering standards.
- Experience modeling DoD weapons, navigation, or communications systems.
- Experience with new business development, generating white papers, and developing new proposal content.
Responsibilities
- Analyze and capture customer and stakeholder needs, evaluate relevant technology options, and apply advanced decision-making strategies to develop system solutions.
- Maintain an external presence in the Digital Engineering community, track external trends, and connect them to Draper needs and new business development.
- Conceptualize and lead development of project solutions appropriate to lifecycle needs, acting as a product owner.
- Bridge knowledge gaps across Draper and build and promote cross-functional teams.
- Lead complex assignments with minimal management direction and evolving priorities; mentor technical staff and development teams to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
- Independently drive solutions to complex problems by developing requirements, proposing paths forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapting to requirement changes.
- Lead tasks and medium-sized teams of 5–10 people; align teams with program goals and build trust.
- Identify program- and system-level technical risks and execute mitigation strategies.
- Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes; apply analysis techniques across technical challenges and disciplines.
- Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers.
- Organize, plan, and manage time to achieve program goals; provide constructive mentoring and feedback.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Workplace flexibility.
- Employee clubs, including photography and yoga.
- Health and finance workshops.
- Off-site social events.
- Discounts to local museums and cultural activities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
