Navigation System Engineer

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 Strategic Weapon Systems division at Draper is seeking a Navigation and Global Positioning System (GPS) System Engineer to work within multi-disciplinary teams to conceptualize and prototype advanced guidance technologies to enable new system capabilities that are of strategic importance to the nation. This role will be of high interest to applicants that desire to develop expertise in a broad array of both hardware and software GNC GPS technologies while remaining focused on delivering mission-level capability solutions to the warfighter. Relevant mission domains may include global strike and/or strategic deterrent systems, hypersonics, missile defense systems, space systems, precision guided munitions, and autonomous air/sea vehicles.

Duties and responsibilities may include:

• GPS test data and performance analysis.
• Conceptualization of GPS Hardware designs.
• Analysis of designs to demonstrate performance and functionality GPS Hardware.
• Identification of customer mission needs and development of use cases.
• Analysis of mission use cases to derive subsystem requirements.
• Conceptualization of novel GNC GPS hardware, software, and system solutions.
• Requirements development for simulation-based performance analysis.
• Development and execution of tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Development of research proposals and plans.
• Development of test strategies/plans for prototype technology.

A successful candidate will be highly motivated to 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 build deeper expertise in both the core mission domain and underlying GPS 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.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manage and control priorities, scope, schedule, and cost to baselines by proactively monitoring program/task performance across larger activities.
• Independently derive system-level I&T requirements based on mission requirements and define plans, approaches, and detailed test procedures to solve complex I&T problems.
• Help customers understand and adequately mitigate and resolve I&T risks and issues.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) able to develop and implement I&T approaches through a program lifecycle.
• Identify program/system-level I&T 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, industry and customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• Be a team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.

Education:

Requires a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.

Experience:

Requires 7-10 years in Systems Engineering or relevant role.

Applicants must have the following key qualifications:

• Foundational knowledge of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and GPS technology.
• Thesis or dissertation research relevant to enabling GNC or strategic missions.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate a technical approach and write proposals.
• Practical experience with simulation-based performance analysis.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to articulate complex technical ideas.

Any of the following additional qualifications are highly desirable:

• 7+ years of professional experience in development of defense/space systems.
• Deep expertise with respect to either/both GPS hardware or software technology.
• Domain experience with respect to strategic weapon systems.
• Experience with multi-objective optimization techniques.
• Knowledge of modern software development lifecycles, standards, processes, and tools.
• Technical leadership experience.
• Strong MATLAB, C/C++ skills.

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

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.