Principal System Concepts Engineer

Cambridge, MA, US💼 Full-time💰 $95,000–$95,000🗓 2026-09-29

Core

Lead medium-sized teams to define mission needs, explore architecture trade spaces, and develop integrated hardware/software systems for complex defense and space applications.

Role type

Senior IC systems concepts engineer (mission engineering & architecture)

Builds

Integrated hardware/software systems, mission architectures, and R&D proposals

Domain

Defense, space exploration, and biomedical engineering

Required skills

Systems engineering process, simulation-based performance analysis, risk identification and mitigation, team leadership, requirements development, technical writing

Preferred skills

Modeling and simulation, computer language coding, descriptive modeling (SysML), STPA, GN&C, avionics architectures, fault tolerance, cyber/security, threat modeling

Technologies

SysML, STPA, modeling and simulation tools, engineering analysis tools

Responsibilities

Develop requirements and propose solutions for complex problems; identify and mitigate program-level technical risks; lead teams of 5-10 people; mentor less experienced engineers; brief results to leadership or government sponsors; develop R&D proposals

Seniority

Senior, hands-on IC with team leadership

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About draper

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.