Group Leader–System Level Electromechanical Integration & Test

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.

The Integration & Test Division within the Systems Engineering directorate is seeking a Group Leader to lead our System Level Electromechanical Integration & Test 2 Group. The division serves as the system integrator for technologies and product lines developed using Draper’s core capabilities.

The primary focus of the System Level Electromechanical Integration & Test 2 Group is to plan and conduct the integration and testing (development, acceptance, verification, qualification) of complex electromechanical systems. The group supports all of Draper’s business areas to ensure that we deliver verified and validated electromechanical systems to our customers. The group supports projects throughout the development lifecycle. Early planning is necessary to provide inputs on testability of requirements and provide feedback on designs to ensure ease of integration.

Integration support includes development of hardware, software, cabling and documentation of the design. The Group Leader is responsible for leading and managing a group of approximately 15‑20 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 is a key focus of the Group Leader.

• 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 internship 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 for hiring as required, review and disposition incoming resumes, and 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 customers’ strategic priorities.
• Maintain cognizance of group member activity and address issues.

• Excellent communication and written skills.
• Excellent ability to present 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.

Requires a degree in Engineering or a related discipline.

7+ years of experience in the engineering, design, development, and management of complex systems.

• Experience leading…