Senior Aerospace Systems Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Jul 27, 2026. Draper scores B on the Alion truth index.
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. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.
Job Description Summary:
The System Requirements Engineer (SMTS) is responsible for the definition, analysis, and verification of a system and subsystem requirements to shape the overall system design. The role entails application of systems engineering methods within a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and/or digital engineering framework. Responsibilities include the elucidation of mission needs, definition of use cases/CONOPS, functional system modeling, requirement tree development and flow-down, analysis-based requirement trades/balancing, simulation-based performance trades/analysis, simulation-based requirements verification, test strategy development, test design, and requirements management through product life-cycle.Job Description:
Duties/Responsibilities
- Coordinate, schedule and participate in the requirements assessments.
- Assists in strategic technical planning, project management, performance engineering, risk management and interface design.
- Conducts requirements engineering, scheduling, reliability, development, and evaluation, maintainability and analysis for training.
- Supports the analyses and allocation of requirements.
- Assists in the capture and translation of mission and customer requirements/needs into systems/capability requirements and solutions.
- Lead assessment effort in conducting both formal and informal evaluations and analysis.
- Analyze assessment results and make improvement/change recommendations.
- Ensure assessment results and recommendations can be incorporated into the requirements documentation.
- Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to task planning and test development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in program requirements
- Lead small teams. Seeks to align team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
- Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply 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.
Skills/Abilities
- Highly-organized, capable of approaching problems with a system-level perspective
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Practical experience with the systems engineering process
- Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and/or digital engineering (DE) tools/methods
- Roles may require proficiency with modeling/simulation, computer coding languages, SysML, STPA, DOORs, and/or other engineering analysis tools
- Knowledge of GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, comms/encryption, or other technologies may be required as defined in the summary.
Education
Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field. Masters degree preferred.
Experience
5-10 years experience in systems engineering with emphasis in requirements engineering.
Additional Job Description:
- Demonstrated experience with Systems Engineering processes
- Excellent requirements writing and management skills
- Strong systems thinker
- Demonstrated experience with SysML & Systems Modeling, tools like Magic Draw and Cameo
- Modeling system dynamics with Matlab & Simulink
- Experience developing Requirements, System Architectures, Interface Control Documents, System Design Descriptions, and Verification/ Test Plans
- Great verbal and written communication skills
- Experience supporting Human Systems Engineering and integration best practices
- Aerospace and Spaceflight systems engineering experience
- Applicable Certifications:
- OMG Systems Modeling Certification
- INCOSE ASEP or CSEP Certification
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.
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Job Location - City:
CambridgeJob Location - State:
MassachusettsJob Location - Postal Code:
02139-3563The US base salary range for this full-time position is
$82,300.00 - $220,000.00Our 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.
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. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected].