Senior Space & Strategic Navigation Engineer

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 Senior Software Navigation Engineer develops software for cutting-edge space and defense systems used by the US Government and commercial customers as well as internal R&D projects. The Navigation Engineer will develop, integrate, and deploy advanced navigation algorithms and software for systems able to operate in complex environments such as underwater, ground, air, and space.

The Space and Strategic Navigation group is seeking a motivated, skilled estimation engineer to support the design, development, and analysis of navigation algorithms and flight software for space systems (like, this, this, this, and this) and strategic systems (like this and this). The group supports the full development arc of flight programs, including covariance analysis, high-fidelity sensor modeling, navigation filter prototyping, Monte Carlo analysis, flight software development, integration/testing, flight test support, and post-flight analysis. The candidate should have demonstrated achievements in one or more of these areas and a willingness to build expertise in the others.

A key component of this group's mission is to maintain and drive forward Draper's core capability in space and strategic navigation, a capability that stretches back to MIT's Instrumentation Lab, which pioneered the field of missile guidance systems in the 1950s and 1960s. That mission underlies our commitment to hire talented engineers, invest in their technical knowledge and leadership skills, and provide them opportunities to make high-impact contributions on programs of critical national importance.

Duties/Responsibilities

Job Description:

• Analysis, design, development, testing, and documentation of navigation systems for a variety of applications.
• Investigation and analysis of project requirements, and development of solutions to meet customer needs.
• Working on the full development arc of navigation flight programs, including covariance analysis, high-fidelity sensor modeling, navigation filter prototyping, Monte Carlo analysis, flight software development, integration and testing, flight test support, and post-flight analysis.
• Derives task-level or component-level requirements from system requirements.
• Independently contributes high quality content for technical reports and presentations which shows an understanding of their task and an awareness of the intended audience.
• Clearly communicates work assignments to team members.
• Tracks priorities, scope, schedule, and cost.
  
  

Skills/Abilities

• Proficient in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C or other related tools.
• Proficient in basic software development standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of extended Kalman filters and related algorithms.
• Knowledge of navigation and/or tracking algorithms including sensor fusion techniques.
• Hands-on experience in project execution and in designing, developing, and validating real-time algorithms and software.
• Significant experience in the design and analysis of extended Kalman filters and related algorithms.
• Significant experience the design and implementation of navigation and/or tracking algorithms including sensor fusion techniques.
• Strong record of successful project execution and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrates technical depth in several core development activities and mastery in at least one, as well as the ability to mentor others in these areas.
  
  

Education

Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is required. PhD preferred.

Experience

5-7 years experience as an Aerospace Engineer, or related.

Additional Job Description

Applicants selected for this position may be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

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Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We understand the value of diversity 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, gender identity, 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].