The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Principal Guidance & Control Engineer

Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering or related field required; Master's or PhD preferred.
  • 10-15 years of relevant engineering experience required.
  • Strong MATLAB, Simulink, Python, and C/C++ programming skills.
  • Knowledge of real-time software development tools and lifecycles required.
  • Familiarity with trajectory optimization and optimal control techniques essential.

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate requirements and propose innovative design solutions.
  • Design advanced algorithms using modern theoretical frameworks.
  • Develop and prototype embedded software grounded in algorithms.
  • Analyze designs for performance validation and functionality assessment.
  • Execute comprehensive software tests for compliance with project requirements.
  • Identify inefficiencies and resolve technical problems swiftly.
  • Prepare detailed technical documentation for projects, including reports and manuals.

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule to promote work-life balance.
  • Employee clubs and social activities to foster community.
  • Workshops focused on health, finance, and personal development.
  • Discounts for local cultural activities and museums.
Full Job Description
Job Description Summary:
The Principal Guidance and Control Engineer develops software for cutting-edge space and defense systems used by the US Government and commercial customers as well as internal R&D projects. A Guidance and Control (G&C) Engineer develops, integrates, and deploys advanced G&C algorithms and software for systems able to operate in complex environments such as underwater, ground, air, and space.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Evaluates requirements, proposes solutions, explores design trades to support a design.
• Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques.
• Develops embedded software based on prototype algorithms.
• Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Evaluates results to establish problem causes and develop solutions for inefficient or problems.
• Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
• Guidance & Control Subject Matter Expert, deep understanding of domain and customer mission areas.
• Leads with humility and respect, and diverse perspectives to foster an inclusive environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities
• Strong MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C++ skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of real-time software development tools.
• Knowledge of project execution, designing, developing, and validating real-time algorithms and software.
• Familiarity with trajectory optimization, optimal control, and similar techniques.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to motivate and develop a team of professionals.
• Excellent technical judgment, strong written and oral communication skills, and a practical, common-sense approach to getting things done.
• Knowledge of modern software development lifecycles, standards, processes, and tools.
• Clearly communicates work assignments to team members.
• Tracks priorities, scope, schedule, and cost.

Education
• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Masters or PhD in a related field is preferred.

Experience
10-15 years of relevant Engineering experience is required.

Additional Job Description:

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

Job Location - City:
Cambridge

Job Location - State:
Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:


The US base salary range for this full-time position is
$95,000.00 - $245,000.00
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.

About The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Draper Laboratory is an American non-profit research and development organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts; its official name is The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. The laboratory specializes in the design, development, and deployment of advanced technology solutions to problems in national security, space exploration, health care and energy. The laboratory was founded in 1932 by Charles Stark Draper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop aeronautical instrumentation, and came to be called the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory. During this period the laboratory is best known for developing the Apollo Guidance Computer, the first silicon integrated circuit based computer. It was renamed for its founder in 1970, and separated from MIT in 1973 to become an independent, non-profit organization. The expertise of the laboratory staff includes the areas of guidance, navigation, and control technologies and systems; fault-tolerant computing; advanced algorithms and software systems; modeling and simulation; and microelectromechanical systems and multichip module technology.
Learn more about The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

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