System Concepts and Design Fall 2026 Co-op

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory•Cambridge, MA

1d•Onsite

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. The System Concepts & Design division is seeking a highly-motivated undergraduate or graduate student for a full-time fall 2026 engineering co-op. The position will support guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems engineering tasks by assisting with development of high-fidelity flight vehicle simulations and/or mission performance analyses.

Requirements

Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program in engineering, math, or physics
Basic programming skills in MATLAB or Python
Ability to learn quickly both working closely with engineers and independently
Comfortable using new software and tools
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent work ethic with the ability to work independently or in a team environment.
Ability to adapt to ever-changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Strong computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Enrolled in an accredited full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program required.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in system dynamics, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, control systems, state estimation, aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, or design optimization
Additional programming experience (e.g. Simulink, R, C, C++, etc.)
Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
Familiarity with strategic/tactical missile or rocket systems

Responsibilities

Enhance usability of existing GNC simulation and analysis tools
Develop system and subsystem models
Integrate new algorithms, models, or features into simulation tools
Conduct Monte Carlo analysis or Trade Space Exploration
Create informative visualizations of model outputs
Work with engineering team to understand stakeholder needs and use cases
Regularly present progress and technical products to the team for peer review
Design, develop, and enhancement engineering solutions for challenging problems.
Implement, test, perform analysis, and provide documentation support.
Generate and present test reports including plots, tables, evaluation criteria, and conclusions from data collected and analyzed throughout the test process.
Complete assignments designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines.
Performs other duties as assigned.