Job Listings

  Responsibilities:     The Draper Program Finance organization is looking for an experienced Material Cost Estimator that will support all Draper business areas, including Strategic, Space, Biotechnology, and Electronic Systems. In this important role, the estimating analyst will closely collaborate with our internal business partners to provide detailed and accurate material estimate analyses utilized across all contract type proposals.   The successful candidate will have an analytical approach, customer focus, strong attention to detail, and will provide superior service to internal partners.   The responsibilities for this role include the following:   - Developing, analyzing, evaluating, coordinating, and preparing material cost estimates for cost proposals to US Government customers - Developing Bill of Materials (BOMs), selecting appropriate pricing methods (e.g., purchase order history, vendor quotes, etc.), and ensuring all quotes are recent - Supporting other cost estimating deliverables as needed, such as generating detailed cost volumes, financial analyses, and ad hoc support - Researching and analyzing historical data, and developing cost models to support proposal efforts and determine the of accuracy of functional material estimates - Assessing estimating techniques and historical cost actuals documentation - Consolidating cost estimates in pricing tool / ERP system - Supporting the internal proposal review and approval process, which includes developing presentations for senior leadership - As required, supporting requests for information (RFI), related audit requests, fact-finding, compliance, submission, updates / revisions, and negotiations

Responsibilities:   - Perform subcontract management functions in support of U.S. Government & Commercial Contracts - Solicit subcontractors, supporting various award types and take a lead role on fact finding, proposal analysis and risk assessment - Manage tactical and strategic aspects of subcontract relationship, which includes interface with technical and contract organizations, including the Program Office. - Issue modifications, solicit Engineering Change Proposals, issue Stop Work Orders - Be the focal point for subcontractor performance. This includes: RFP generation, Review adequacy of requirements flow-down, delivery, payment and all contractual terms; Purchase order Placement and maintenance; Subcontract performance monitoring and completion assessments - Ability to develop sound business cases and analyze large volumes of data - Communicate clearly, strong writing skills, be proactive in a very fast paced environment, flexible, innovative, work with speed and agility yet be thorough and drive tasks to completion  

This position will be located in Draper Cambridge, MA office.  The candidate will be responsible for analyzing and designing control algorithms and flight software for atmospheric vehicles and other systems.  Autonomous vehicle control designs will be required employing nonlinear dynamic inversion, observer-based inferred air data covering subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic portions of the flight envelope.  Analysis will include assessment of closed loop performance, verification of algorithms and algorithm requirements, and analysis of flight dynamics and trajectory dispersions.  The candidate will use time domain simulations, covariance-based methods, and Monte Carlo dispersed analysis to assess and tune system performance and to document analysis results. 

The Inspector B will perform the following responsibilities:    - Performs inspections on a variety of materials, components, assemblies, and/or systems.  Types of inspections include visual, workmanship, dimensional, and electrical. - Must be able to use and interpret engineering drawings, sketches, and work to inspection procedures.  Must be able to follow and execute to verbal and written instructions. - Documents work results and generates inspection reports.  Must be knowledgeable in Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel. - Complies with safety and security rules and observes good housekeeping practices. - Accomplishes assignments with minimum direct supervision. Typical equipment used include: - For Mechanical Inspection-Microscopes. micrometers, gage blocks, pin gauges, comparators, surface plates, height gages, rotary tables, coordinate measuring machines, and roundness and surface analysis equipment. - For Electrical Inspection-Oscilloscopes, Capacitance/impedance bridges, power supplies, and microscopes.  

The Strategic Systems Program office is seeking a Senior Software Program Manager.  This program develops, tests, and delivers the world’s most accurate and reliable guidance, navigation & control (GN&C) systems to enable credible, survivable, and resilient port-to-target solutions to support the US Navy.  The program manager will be responsible for the development and implementation of the program plans, schedules, and budget for the Strategic Systems Software area, as well as monitoring program performance and execution to those plans, including identifying and addressing risks and issues as needed.   The Software Program Manager will report to the Associate Director of Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT).   - Developing, implementing, and executing a strategy for the Software program area within Strategic Systems focused on the design and development of the D5LE2 guidance system. - Establishing D5LE2 program wide software development processes, policies, and procedures - Leading the development of multiples levels of software items including boot, operating system, flight software applications, and system test applications - Working closely with the Guidance Avionics and System Integration teams in the integration of the flight software into the flight avionics - Interfacing directly with US Navy customer, external program stakeholders, and internal stakeholders to support program alignment and execution. - Communicating clear program objectives and goals across program areas and help ensure alignment with overall strategy and priorities. - Developing detailed program plan for program area with clear timelines and milestones that is integrated with overall program plan and schedule. - Driving program monitoring and control processes by developing and using appropriate data and metrics to measure program performance and facilitating the tracking of program status within area of responsibility. - Ensuring compliance to internal policies, Trident program requirements, and quality management best practices. - Fostering collaboration and teamwork among program stakeholders. - Supporting weekly and monthly program reviews to status execution within program area. - Developing and building team within program area by providing coaching, mentoring, and training as needed.

Draper is actively seeking candidates to support current and future cybersecurity,machine learning, and cyber tool development projects across a variety of domains supporting the United States of America's national interest. You’ll design, implement, apply, and operationalize machine learning solutions for complex tasks on large data sets, including extracting insights from multiple disparate data sources and types, such as cyber, language, and vision. You’ll perform research in machine learning, including adversarial machine learning, algorithmic fairness, and model interpretability. You will be working on multi-disciplinary teams using a wide array of technologies and skills such as embedded systems, microelectronics, threat intelligence, fuzzing, binary analysis, and network operations.   

Draper Laboratory is looking for skilled microelectronic and conventional electronics assemblers.  Draper offers an excellent compensation and benefits package for experienced assemblers. Job Requirements: - Perform highly skilled SMT or microelectronics assembly work under limited supervision of senior technical personnel (exempt and nonexempt) - Is capable of extremely complex hand soldering or assembly tasks requiring high degrees of manual dexterity and attention to detail - With limited supervision but adequate training, may operate, clean, maintain, and/or calibrate SMT and/or microelectronics assembly equipment requiring highly skilled and specialized knowledge - With adequate training and limited supervision, performs work of an essentially repetitive nature requiring highly specialized skills for production of Draper’s most complex deliverable hardware. Such work requires highly evolved production skills.  - With limited or no supervision, carefully documents their own work consistent with work unit policy in handwritten form or using common computer-based software such as MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, etc. - Executes scientific experiments, tests, or process development initiatives with complex laboratory equipment independently or in collaboration with senior technical personnel (exempt and nonexempt). - Supports the execution of acceptance procedures under the limited supervision of senior technical personnel (exempt and non-exempt). May help to develop these procedures. - At the discretion of the supervisor, performs focused training to grow and enhance skills for betterment of the department or the Laboratory as a whole. - As needed, mentor, train or supervise peer technicians. - Other temporary assignments at the discretion of the supervisor. Draper employees are trained to J-STD-001, IPC-WHMA-A-620 and IPC-7711/7721.  Previous experience with these standards or a current certification is valued.  Experienced hand soldering professionals are needed.

Draper Laboratory is seeking talented and motivated individuals to tackle challenging engineering problems in communications. As a Communications engineer, you will be responsible to apply your expertise developing and evaluating novel communication technologies. You will develop and implement special communication systems to enable new capabilities for a wide diversity of applications. You will work in a fast paced environment, collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to a variety of projects in this area.   Applicants will assist or lead in the design, development, modeling & simulation, implementation, and evaluation of communication systems and waveform design. They should have experience in either PHY layer topics, waveform design, or channel modeling for demanding applications and various environments.   Specific Responsibilities: - Developing and implementing signal processing algorithms for comms systems - Modeling and simulating components of a communication system - Designing waveforms to meet specific requirements for a given application - Performing laboratory experiments and evaluating fieldable prototypes of comms systems

As a signal processing and communications engineer you will be responsible for conceiving unique solutions for enhancing communication systems working under difficult channel conditions. You will work as the technical lead developing special communications capabilities for a wide diversity of applications and support strategic business development. You will work in a fast paced environment, collaborating in multidisciplinary teams, with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to a variety of projects.   Applicants should possess solid skills designing signal processing algorithms for software defined radio platforms. They should be able to perform analysis and modeling of communication signals and understand the tradeoffs when designing an optimized algorithm.   Specific Responsibilities: - Lead the design and development of DSP algorithms for communication systems - Work in close collaboration with multidisciplinary team to develop software defined radio solutions - Research novel solutions to challenging communication systems - Support business development, write proposals, white papers, and technical documents - Deliver technical presentations to internal and external customers - Mentor junior colleagues and support new technology development   This role can be based in either Cambridge, MA or Reston, VA. 

A typical assignment will begin with conducting a literature survey of state-of-the-art receiver algorithms.  You would identify the most promising candidates, conduct a highly-competent, mission-relevant trade study using MATLAB, and report your recommendations to our sponsors and collaborators.  You would then write a design specification, work with our SW and HDL teams to realize a deliverable product, and periodically evaluate the product’s field performance, with an eye toward continuous improvement.   Other assignments will apply the same basic process to developing new waveforms and electronic attack and electronic protection systems, all geared toward the full life cycle of fielded products.   Additional responsibilities include presenting our results and recommendations in forums such as MILCOM and intra-government conferences; advising and mentoring signal processing graduate students at top universities through the Draper scholars program as we build our talent pipeline; and conceiving new ideas and concepts, and presenting them in the form of task orders, proposals, patents and white papers.   Our executives and sponsors have made a long-term commitment to this business area, and we look forward to helping you build a meaningful, high-impact career leading our team.

Lead architect for developing new waveforms and receive algorithms for RF signature detection, communication systems, electronic attack and protection systems, all geared toward both prototype and the full life cycle of fielded products.   A typical assignment might begin with conducting a literature survey of state-of-the-art receiver algorithms.  You would identify the most  promising candidates, conduct a highly-competent, mission-relevant trade study using MATLAB, and report your recommendations to our sponsors and collaborators. You would then write a design specification, work with our SW and HDL teams to realize a deliverable product, and periodically evaluate the product’s field performance, with an eye toward continuous improvement. Hands on testing ability is critical.

As software defined radio (SDR) lead, you will assist in the development of custom/novel systems utilizing SDRs for a variety of applications. Responsibilities include collaborating with DSP and electronics experts while developing custom SDR control code for a variety of applications (e.g. RF signature detection, Wi-Fi, etc.) as well as mentoring junior staff.

The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Systems Architect to apply systems-thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions to complex system- and enterprise-level problems. The Division works across multiple domains such as Navy, Air Force, and Missile Defense Agency, Strategic deterrence systems; Electronic systems; Space systems; and Biotechnology systems. Draper has adopted an integrated, model-based, and data-driven mindset in solving complex Engineering problems spanning the entire product lifecycle. From early-lifecycle problem definition and requirement management, conceptual system design and architecture, detailed modeling, model-driven customer reviews, integration and testing, verification and validation, deployment, to surveillance and performance monitoring, Draper applies a suite of Digital Engineering solutions to meet the needs of our projects. For this role, we are seeking candidates with broad multidisciplinary interests in Tradespace Exploration, Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Model-based Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Software development and Integration, and Advanced Algorithms. Specific responsibilities will include: - Work with senior leaders across Draper to analyze and capture customer and stakeholder needs, understand and evaluate relevant technology options, and apply advanced decision-making strategies to develop innovative system solutions. - Maintain strong external presence in the Digital Engineering world as a thought leader and innovative thinker, understand external trends and map back to Draper needs and new business development. - Conceptualize and lead the development of the appropriate solution for each project depending on the lifecycle needs, with a “Product Owner” hat. - Bridge the knowledge gaps and across Draper. Build and promote cross functional teams to meet customer and internal needs. - Lead complex assignments with minimal management direction and evolving task priorities. Mentor technical staff and development teams to successfully work to deadlines, often while successfully managing to multiple competing priorities

Do you enjoy the challenge of designing integrated circuits from the ground up for challenging environments and unique applications – from outer space to inside the human body? The Microelectronics Group at Draper consists of about a dozen motivated engineers developing analog, mixed-signal, and RF application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). We are looking to add new members to our team who are capable of specifying and architecting chips, designing circuits using the Cadence tool suite, leading small teams, and interfacing with engineers and physicists in an interdisciplinary environment.

We are seeking a talented senior engineer to join the digital design team at Draper. The successful candidate will contribute to FPGA development including architecture, design, synthesis, verification, validation, test, and support.  Candidate must have experience using high level design, simulation and verification tools and be familiar with process flows supporting design and verification for digital FPGA efforts. Direct experience with embedded FPGA design is required. This is a HYBRID position, and the candidate should be willing to come onsite to the Cambridge office 2-3 days per week as needed.

Responsibilities:     The Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) will support multiple critical Department of Defense (DoD) information systems. The ISSO ensures systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with the DAAPM, JSIG, or ICD-503. The ISSO will work with the Information System Security Manager for their assigned systems. The ISSO shall have the detailed knowledge and expertise required to manage the security aspects of an information system and, in many organizations, is assigned responsibility for the day-to-day security operations of a system. Responsibilities also include physical and environmental protection, personnel security, incident handling, and security training and awareness. In close coordination with the ISSM and ISO, the ISSO plays an active role in monitoring a system and its environment of operation to include developing and updating the SSP, managing and controlling changes to the system, and assessing the security impact of those changes.The successful candidate must be knowledgeable of information technology and security principles. This is a multi-tasking environment that demands customer service, communication, and organizational skills.  Due to the nature of this work, this job requires on-site presence in Cambridge, MA. Some travel may be required. The ISSO will: - Assist the ISSM in meeting their duties and responsibilities. The ISSO shall assume ISSM responsibilities in the absence of the ISSM; - Ensure systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with security policies and procedures as outlined in the security authorization package; - Attend required technical and security training (e.g., operating system, networking, security management) relative to assigned duties; - Maintain required IA certifications; - Ensure all users have the requisite security clearances, authorization, need-to-know, and are aware of their security responsibilities before granting access to the IS; - Report all security-related incidents to the ISSM; - Conduct periodic reviews of information systems to ensure compliance with the security authorization package; - Serve as member of the CCB, if designated by the ISSM; - Coordinate any changes or modifications to hardware, software, or firmware of a system with the ISSM and AO/DAO prior to the change; - Formally notify the ISSM and AO/DAO when changes occur that might affect system authorization; - Monitor system recovery processes to ensure security features and procedures are properly restored and functioning correctly; - Ensure all IS security-related documentation is current and accessible to properly authorized individuals; and - Ensure audit records are collected, reviewed, and documented (to include any anomalies). - Conduct Audits and Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) activities using available technical and non-technical processes. - Reports Audit and ConMon findings - Execute incident response - Attends and contributes to status meetings - Manage configuration baselines of both hardware and software - Identify system architecture flaws using industry standard tools (e.g. STIG, SCAP, Nessus) that will be flowed to the ISSM for review. - Mentors and coaches jr. ISSOs  

Responsibilities:     The Principal Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) will support multiple critical Department of Defense (DoD) information systems. The Principal ISSO ensures systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with the DAAPM, JSIG, or ICD-503. The Principal ISSO shall have the detailed knowledge and expertise required to manage the security aspects of an information system and, in many organizations, is assigned responsibility for the day-to-day security operations of a system. Responsibilities also include physical and environmental protection, personnel security, incident handling, and security training and awareness. In close coordination with the ISSM and ISO, the Principal ISSO plays an active role in monitoring a system and its environment of operation to include developing and updating the SSP, managing and controlling changes to the system, and assessing the security impact of those changes.The successful candidate must be knowledgeable of information technology and security principles. This is a multi-tasking environment that demands customer service, communication, and organizational skills.  Due to the nature of this work, this job requires on-site presence in Cambridge, MA. Some travel may be required. The Principal ISSO will: - Assist the ISSM in meeting their duties and responsibilities. The ISSO shall assume ISSM responsibilities in the absence of the ISSM; - Ensure systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with security policies and procedures as outlined in the security authorization package; - Attend required technical and security training (e.g., operating system, networking, security management) relative to assigned duties; - Maintain required IA certifications; - Ensure all users have the requisite security clearances, authorization, need-to-know, and are aware of their security responsibilities before granting access to the IS; - Report all security-related incidents to the ISSM; - Conduct periodic reviews of information systems to ensure compliance with the security authorization package; - Serve as member of the CCB, if designated by the ISSM; - Coordinate any changes or modifications to hardware, software, or firmware of a system with the ISSM and AO/DAO prior to the change; - Formally notify the ISSM and AO/DAO when changes occur that might affect system authorization; - Monitor system recovery processes to ensure security features and procedures are properly restored and functioning correctly; - Ensure all IS security-related documentation is current and accessible to properly authorized individuals; and - Ensure audit records are collected, reviewed, and documented (to include any anomalies). - Conduct Audits and Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) activities using available technical and non-technical processes. - Reports Audit and ConMon findings - Execute incident response - Attends and contributes to status meetings - Manage configuration baselines of both hardware and software - Identify system architecture flaws using industry standard tools (e.g. STIG, SCAP, Nessus) that will be flowed to the ISSM for review. - Mentors and coaches junior ISSOs - Develops tactics, techniques, and procedures - Leads meetings on technical subjects - Leads projects and develops tools - Lead SME for incident response - Subject matter expert using Splunk or (equivalent industry SIEM tool), vulnerability scanners, and configuration tools - Leads an ISSO workshop to train, coach, and mentor ISSOs, to include the discussion and implementation of governance throughout the JD Department for ISSOs.

Engineering Tools Administrator Draper has an opportunity for an Engineering Tools Administrator.  This position is the liaison between Engineering, Information Technology Services, and external software vendors.  This person will be responsible for interfacing with the Draper Engineering community to ensure the software tools necessary to perform their work are procured and available for use.  The position will also require working with vendors to negotiate purchases, renewals, leases, and maintenance contracts.  Responsibilities - Manage the technical implementation and administration of Draper’s suite of Engineering software tools, including procurement, licensing, distribution, and tracking - Engage with Engineering staff to evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of existing tools, identify additional tool needs and tools that may be retired to eliminate unnecessary cost, and propose improvements and replacements - Collaborate with Engineering leadership to anticipate tools, licenses, and resources required for program needs and headcount growth - Develop and present an annual tool plan for budgeting purposes and adjust cost to meet the available budget - Use data analytics to develop and present metrics to show the status of software and license health - Maintain records of purchased and leased Engineering tools, including license counts, their distribution at Draper and at its subcontractors, and their expiration dates - Foster strong relationships with tool vendors to obtain formal quotes for new purchases, maintenance renewals, and leases, negotiate the terms of those deals and initiate and submit purchase requisitions per the documented tool plan - Supervise the receipt and distribution of product, licenses, and software, and authorize invoice payments for received tools and licenses

The Systems Integration & Test Division within the Systems Engineering directorate is seeking a Group Leader to lead our Contested Environments Integration & Test Group. The Division serves as the system integrator for technologies and product lines developed using Draper's core capabilities. The Division plans, executes, and manages I&T activities starting from early test concept development through system certification. This includes functional simulation, technology maturation, system and sub-system integration, verification and validation (V&V), performance evaluation, and acceptance testing. In addition, the Division leverages multi-disciplinary engineering expertise and collaborates with front-end Systems Engineers and the Digital Engineering & Enabling Technologies Division to establish clear, verifiable, and traceable requirements, inform and drive system concepts, architectures, and designs to promote testability, and utilizes resident expertise and lessons learned to support the development of highly reliable, robust, and complex systems.    Responsibilities   The primary focus of the Contested Environment Integration & Test Group is to conduct component, subsystem, and system testing in challenging environments, primarily focused on radiation environments. The group works across all areas of Draper to ensure that we deliver survivable systems to our customers that will meet their most challenging mission needs.   The Group accomplishes their work through a combination of rigorous test planning and preparation combined with offsite testing. This testing occurs throughout the development lifecycle, starting with early characterization testing and continuing through lot acceptance testing of production systems.   The Group Leader is responsible for leading and managing a group of approximately 10 - 15 engineers who have technical and domain expertise related to the group’s focus areas and can provide the highest level of support to our customers. The continual advancement of Draper’s expertise in developing and maturing the most advanced technologies for navigation sensors is a key focus of the Group Leader.  To that end, the Group Leader is expected to: - Ensure the long-term success of the group, and its contributions to Draper, by shaping the group’s talented workforce, while maintaining and developing key, differentiating capabilities that align with customer and business needs. - Collaborate regularly with internal group members, Draper Program Offices, Customers/Sponsors, other Draper engineering groups, and the external technical community. - Partner with Customers/Sponsors, Draper Program Managers and subject matter experts within Draper to develop and implement strategic plans and technology roadmaps. - Promote and direct internal and external R&D activities, including development and alignment of research proposals with technology roadmaps, collaborations with universities and direction of scholar, co-op, and internships cohorts. - Support and enable the technical and career growth of individual staff members by performing check-in reviews and annual performance reviews, as well as advocating for leadership, mentorship, and training opportunities.

The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Systems Architect to apply systems-thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions to complex system- and enterprise-level problems. The Division works across multiple domains such as Navy, Air Force, and Missile Defense Agency, Strategic deterrence systems; Electronic systems; Space systems; and Biotechnology systems.   Draper has adopted an integrated, model-based, and data-driven mindset in solving complex Engineering problems spanning the entire product lifecycle. From early-lifecycle problem definition and requirement management, conceptual system design and architecture, detailed modeling, model-driven customer reviews, integration and testing, verification and validation, deployment, to surveillance and performance monitoring, Draper applies a suite of Digital Engineering solutions to meet the needs of our projects.   For this role, we are seeking candidates with broad multidisciplinary interests in Tradespace Exploration, Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Model-based Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Software development and Integration, and Advanced Algorithms. The ideal candidate will work as part of an interdisciplinary team.   The candidate will have the ability to become knowledgeable in various problem domains, identify relevant modeling and analysis techniques, develop or integrate multi-domain models of required fidelity, present results that support system-level analysis, performance trade-offs, and decision-making.   The ability to communicate technical concepts effectively with customers, engineers, managers, and other stakeholders of all relevant disciplines is a must.  Flexibility to multi-task and adapt to evolving priorities will be required.  We value continuous learning and professional growth.