Group Leader – Nav Aids and Advanced Sensor Technology

Group Leader – Nav Aids and Advanced Sensor Technology

Join to apply for the Group Leader – Nav Aids and Advanced Sensor Technology role at Draper

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

Job Description Summary

As part of the Systems Concepts and Design Division, the primary focus of the Nav Aids and Advanced Sensor Technology Group is to engineer and synthesize Draper's advanced discriminating sensor technologies into new platform solutions that enable warfighters to successfully execute their missions by enhancing resilience, precision, and reliability. Programs supported by this group are focused on precision strike, terminal engagement, landing systems, autonomy, performance in contested environments, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

The Group achieves this work through the application of celestial object sighting technology, GPS/RF, atomic sensors, vision‑aided navigation sensors, terminal sensors, ultra-precision timing and communications.

Responsibilities

• 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, coop, 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.
• Manage administrative details and career development for group members.
• Convey relevant information from management to group members.
• Lead, mentor, build depth in their area of expertise and conduct performance evaluations of group members.
• Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions (responsibilities and required qualifications) for hiring as required, review and disposition incoming resumes, conduct interviews.
• Serve as Lead Subject Matter Expert for area of specialty.
• Shape Draper’s technology offerings and open new business areas based on program and technical experience.
• Analyze Draper strategy and work with management to build capability in key areas that align Draper's capabilities with customer's strategic priorities.

Skills / Abilities

• Excellent communication and written skills.
• Excellent ability with presenting technical material to various levels of the engineering organization and customers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications.
• Strong ability to supervise a team of 10-20.

Education

Requires a degree in Engineering or related discipline.

Experience

5-7 years of experience in the engineering; design, development, and management of complex systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Foundational experience in guidance, navigation, and control hardware and/or software technologies.
• Technical leadership experience, serving as a Technical Director, Task Leader, or Principal Investigator in the development of new technologies and applications.
• Formal training in Systems Engineering best practices and methods.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), with direct experience in cost and schedule management of tasks.
• Ex…