Principal Weapons System Architect

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 Hypersonic and Advanced Weapons group at Draper is seeking a Senior Weapon System Architect to work within multi-disciplinary teams to architect next-generation hypersonic weapon system solutions for the war fighter. This role will be of high interest to applicants that desire to participate in the conceptualization and development of new US military capabilities in strategic mission domains, as well as the enabling guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) subsystem technology.

Duties/Responsibilities

Job Description:

• Independently drive solutions to complex problems - develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements
• Sustained record of successful task leadership. Identifies risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies for them.
• Lead medium-sized teams (5-10 people). Reliably aligns team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Systems Engineering
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges and disciplines
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers
• Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals
• Actively mentors. Recognizes strengths and weaknesses in others and provides 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

7-10 years experience as systems engineer or related role.

Additional Job Description

This position will more include the following specific responsibilities:

• Identification of customer mission needs and development of use cases;
• Requirements development;
• Model-based analysis of alternatives for GNC design concepts;
• Modeling of system dynamics and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) loop;
• System performance simulation and analysis;
• Presentation of analysis results to both internal and external stake-holders;
• Development of systems engineering, design, and analysis artifacts/documentation;
• Technology roadmap development;
• Proposal development and briefing of senior leadership;
• Task planning and leadership.
  
  

A successful candidate will be highly motivated to: (a) support the delivery of technology solutions that are of strategic importance to the nation in the context of evolving threats from peer and near-peer competitors, and (b) build deeper expertise in both the core mission domain and underlying GNC/avionics 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.

Highly qualified candidates with comparatively more or less experience than indicated will be considered for the position at an adjusted tier level.

Occasional travel to Draper’s Cambridge, MA, headquarters and/or designated government facilities will be required.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

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Job Location - City:

Clearfield

Job Location - State:

Utah

Job Location - Postal Code:

84015

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.