Senior Navigation and Advanced Sensing Engineer
Draper · Massachusetts
📍 Cambridge, MAvia workdayFirst listed here 2026-09-21
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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:
A Systems Analysis Engineer(SMTS) develops and applies advanced Digital Engineering capabilities for the analysis of complex systems in domains such as: strategic deterrence, missile defense, hypersonics, space, precision guided munitions, autonomous air/sea vehicles, and biotechnology. Our multi-disciplinary teams innovate and develop solutions for full system development lifecycle from trade studies, to concept and architecture design, to integration, to testing and operation.
Job Description:
Duties/Responsibilities
• Performs analysis approaches for a particular problem and independently execute assignments.
• Independently execute system engineering lifecycle assignments; concept and architecture design, integration, testing and operation.
• 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
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams (fewer than five people). Seeks to align team towards program goals and builds trust within the team.
• Able to 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 for them.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• Work in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment including stakeholders and external partners.
• Contribute to translation of requirements into technical and architectural decisions.
Skills/Abilities
• Excellent mathematical skills.
• Thorough understanding of engineering theories and procedures.
• Ability to collaborate within a diverse and multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of multiple problem domains, with ability to quickly become knowledgeable in new domains.
• Identify and develop relevant modeling and analysis techniques, and develop or integrate multi-domain qualitative models.
• Ability to present results that support system-level analysis, performance trade-offs, and decision-making is critical, thus communications and interpersonal skills are highly valued in this role.
• The ability to communicate technical concepts effectively with customers, engineers, managers, and other stakeholders of all relevant disciplines.
• Flexibility to multi-task and adapt to evolving priorities.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or other relevant Engineering field. Master's degree preferred.
Experience
• Requires 5-7 years experience in systems analysis or related.
• Experience in use of MBSE tools such as SysML, knowledge in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience in integrating descriptive modeling tools with other simulation tools.
Additional Job Description:
Successful candidates will have all required, and most of the desired and preferred abilities listed below:
Required: Foundational knowledge and hands-on experience with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), GPS, and Position/Navigation/Timing (PNT) technology
Direct experience relevant to enabling GNC or strategic missions, including CONOPS development
Experience integrating GNC subsystems within larger systems
Experience with developing structure program execution plans, and an interest in writing new proposals
Understanding for GPS/PNT problem solving, such as being jammed or saturated
Demonstrated ability to formulate and execute trade studies for technical approaches
Hands-on work experience with GPS / INS integrated systems (military or commercial) – and understands the role GPS plays in a coupled GPS/INS system
Fluent with Kalman filtering operations and how measurements and predicted errors are used within a basic filter
Exceptional presentation skills and the ability to articulate complex technical ideas
Ability to collaborate within a diverse and multidisciplinary team
Desired: 10+ years of professional experience in the development of
Has worked with inertial only systems including an understanding of the constraints imposed by instrument drift over time
Familiar with processing and analysis of blended navigation performance data
Prior experience with GPS/INS integrated systems
Technical leadership experience
Strong Python, MATLAB, C/C++ skills
Preferred Be able to discuss the varying types of navigation architectures and speak to the pros/cons of different models for a given CONOPS
Collaboration both in person and remotely (e.g. Teams, Git, Confluence, etc.)
Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering, and formal requirements management tools
Experience with multi-objective optimization techniques
Knowledge of modern software development lifecycles, standards, processes, and tools
Review and analysis of requirements – understanding which requirements are testable (or not) and how to advise on revisions
Values the dedicated workspace and atmosphere of an in-person development environment
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
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