Project Tech; Elec-Mech - Precision Instruments

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.

This role involves working with extremely small, delicate components under magnification, requiring a level of precision and control often found in watchmaking, fine instrument repair, or micro‑mechanical assembly. You’ll perform detailed adjustments, calibration, and assembly of intricate mechanisms where even the slightest variation can impact overall system performance.

Top performers in this role develop an intuitive feel for their work, often able to sense when a mechanism is precisely assembled, even at a microscopic level.

• Perform high‑precision assembly and adjustment of electro‑mechanical systems at a micro scale.
• Work under microscopes to assemble, align, and calibrate delicate components.
• Execute fine mechanical adjustments requiring steady‑hand control and tactile sensitivity.
• Support precision tuning, calibration, and performance validation of complex mechanisms.
• Inspect and verify components using precision measurement tools to ensure tight tolerances.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot and refine intricate assemblies.

• Microscopes and magnification equipment
• Precision measurement tools (micrometers, height gauges, pin gauges, gauge blocks)
• Surface plates and comparators
• Fine hand tools for micro‑assembly and adjustment
• Measurement and inspection systems for tight‑tolerance components

This role is an onsite position and is not eligible for remote work or relocation.

• With limited or no supervision, carefully document work consistent with work unit policy in handwritten form or using common computer‑based software.
• Perform scientific experiments and/or tests with complex laboratory equipment independently or in collaboration with senior technical personnel.
• Apply analytic and test experience in the execution of acceptance procedures independently or in collaboration with senior technical personnel.
• Program computer‑controlled automated and semi‑automated equipment.
• At the discretion of the supervisor, perform focused training to grow and enhance skills for betterment of the department or the laboratory as a whole.
• As needed, mentor, train or supervise more junior technicians.
• Other temporary assignments at the discretion of the supervisor.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Applications; MS Windows, Word, Excel, etc.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Possess highly specialized skills for production for assigned work area.
• Possess a high degree of attention to detail.

Requires graduation from a two‑year technical school. There is no years of applicable experience in lieu of education requirement.

Requires at least 10 years of applicable experience.

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

• Experience in watchmaking, horology, or fine instrument repair.
• Background working with mechanical movements (manual or automatic), precision timing, or micro‑mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with fine adjustments requiring tactile feedback and high attention to detail.

Cambridge

Massachusetts

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $53.92 – $53.92.

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related…