Principal Systems 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.

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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.

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.

• 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 them 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 knowledge gaps across Draper, building and promoting cross‑functional teams to meet customer and internal needs.
• Lead complex assignments with minimal management direction and evolving task priorities, mentoring technical staff and development teams to successfully meet deadlines while managing multiple competing priorities.

• 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; identify risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Lead medium‑sized teams (5–10 people). Reliably align team toward program goals and build trust within the team.
• Subject‑matter expert (SME) in Systems Engineering.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, applying 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 mentor, recognizing strengths and weaknesses in others and providing thoughtful constructive feedback.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 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.
• Proficiency with modeling and simulation, computer‑language coding, descriptive…