Senior Systems Engineer Embedded Microsystems Architecture and Design

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 Microsystems and Sensors Group at Draper is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to develop and manage requirements, architecture, interface documentation, and system specifications for systems in mission domains such as: embedded secure communications, advanced electronics miniaturization, edge processing and computing, trustworthy secure platforms, and autonomous air/sea vehicles. This role will involve working across a multi‑disciplinary team (including external and internal stakeholders) innovating new microelectronics system solutions over the full system development lifecycle.

The group has multidisciplinary proficiencies in secure systems architecture, hardware security and resilience, software security and resilience, system validation and accreditation, sensor development and validation, and cryptography.

• Independently execute system engineering lifecycle assignments.
• Adapt appropriately to changes in program priorities and requirements.
• Adhere to existing best practices and Quality Management System processes.
• Continuously expand depth and knowledge in the technical discipline through formal and informal learning.
• Work within multi‑disciplinary teams and independently execute assignments.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction.
• Lead small teams (fewer than five people) and align the team toward program goals.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, applying analysis techniques across a range of technical challenges.
• Identify program/system‑level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide 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 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.

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field. Master’s degree or higher preferred.

5–10 years experience as systems engineer or related role.

A successful candidate will be motivated to build deeper expertise in both the core mission domains and underlying microsystems technology. This position will provide exposure to a wide range of advanced technologies (including inertial sensors, imagers, precision electronics, and advanced algorithms) as well as provide growth opportunities in the development of capabilities to address challenges in national security. Additionally, a successful candidate will be able to seamlessly join project teams that collaborate by sharing thoughts and opinions of individuals from a diverse set of experience and viewpoints in order to create the best possible technical solution.

• Technical depth in fields relevant to electronics development, embedded systems, embedded software, or packaging miniaturization such as:
  • Broad understanding of microprocessors, field‑programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application‑specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and real‑time software & firmware needed to enable solutions.
  • Experience with serial…