The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Principal Systems Architect

Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field; Master's preferred.
  • 7-10+ years experience as a systems engineer or in a similar role.
  • Expertise in Model-Based Engineering and Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization.
  • Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools, coding languages, and engineering analysis technologies.
  • Strong understanding of data-driven algorithms and performance analysis techniques.

Responsibilities

  • Drive solutions for complex engineering problems and adapt to evolving requirements.
  • Lead medium-sized teams and align them toward program goals while building trust.
  • Act as a Subject Matter Expert in Systems Engineering, providing design insights and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Document and teach best practices to mentor less experienced engineers.
  • Develop effective relationships with senior stakeholders and external experts.

Benefits

  • Workplace flexibility and programs to improve work-life balance.
  • Employee clubs and social events to engage with colleagues.
  • Workshops focused on health and finance for personal development.
  • Discounts to local museums and cultural activities.
Full Job Description
Job Description Summary:
The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Principal Digital Engineering Solution Architect to apply systems-thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions to complex system- and enterprise-level problems. The Division works across multiple domains such as strategic deterrent systems, missile defense systems, hypersonic missiles, space systems, precision guided munitions, and autonomous air/sea vehicles.
Draper has adopted an integrated, model-based, and data-driven mindset in solving complex Engineering problems spanning the entire product lifecycle. From early-lifecycle problem definition and requirement management, conceptual system design and architecture, detailed modeling, model-driven customer reviews, integration and testing, verification and validation, to deployment, surveillance and performance monitoring, Draper applies a suite of Digital Engineering solutions to meet the needs of our projects.

For this role, we are seeking candidates with broad multidisciplinary interests in Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Model-based Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Software development and Integration, and Advanced Algorithms. The ability to communicate complex and abstract technical ideas to a broad profile of stakeholders is essential..

Specific responsibilities will include:
• Work with senior leaders across Draper to analyze and capture customer and stakeholder needs, understand and evaluate relevant technology options, and apply advanced decision-making strategies to develop innovative system solutions.
• Maintain strong external presence in the Digital Engineering world as a thought leader and innovative thinker, understand external trends and map back to Draper needs and new business development.
• Conceptualize and lead the development of the appropriate solution for each project depending on the lifecycle needs, with a "Product Owner" hat.
• Bridge the knowledge gaps and across Draper. Build and promote cross functional teams to meet customer and internal needs.
• Lead complex assignments with minimal management direction and evolving task priorities. Mentor technical staff and development teams to successfully work to deadlines, often while successfully managing to multiple competing priorities

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• 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:
  • Experience with methodologies for Trade space exploration and analysis of alternatives under uncertainty. Experience in data visualization and story boarding
  • Solid understanding of data-driven algorithmic disciplines such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Numerical optimization, Statistical and Probabilistic modeling etc. for systems with underlying physics and sparse multidimensional data. A passion to build quick turn-around prototypes, demonstrate proof-of-concept, and drive to productization
  • Prior experience in technical leadership, stakeholder engagement and management
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other leading national experts in science and technology from academia, national laboratories, and industry who may have ongoing competing priorities and viewpoints.
  • Ability to create and present senior level communications for internal and external customers.

Desired Qualifications:
• Experience in leading or involvement in organizational transformations
• Expertise with INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, 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 new proposal content

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

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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