Group Leader–System Validation, Deployment, and Surveillance

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 Production, Mission, Operations, & Enhancements Division within the Systems Engineering directorate is seeking a Group Leader to lead our System Validation, Deployment, and Surveillance. 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 from early test concept development through system certification, including test concepts and requirements development, technology maturation, system and sub‑system integration, verification and validation (V&V), performance evaluation, and acceptance testing.

The Group focuses on integrating advanced GN&C system technologies into new platform solutions for warfighters, emphasizing resilience, precision, and reliability.

• Ensure the long‑term success of the group and its contributions to Draper by shaping and maintaining a talented workforce and developing core capabilities aligned 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 to develop and implement strategic plans and technology roadmaps.
• Promote and direct internal and external R&D activities, including the 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 through check‑in reviews, annual performance reviews, and advocacy for mentorship and training opportunities.
• Manage administrative details and career development for group members, convey relevant information from management, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions, review and disposition incoming resumes, and conduct interviews.
• Serve as Lead Subject Matter Expert for the group’s area of specialty, shaping Draper’s technology offerings and identifying new business areas based on program and technical experience.
• Analyze Draper strategy and work with management to build capability in key areas that align with customers’ strategic priorities.

• Excellent communication and written skills.
• Strong 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 engineers.

Education:

Requires a degree in Engineering or a related discipline.

Experience:

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

• Experience with strategic weapons, DoD, space, GN&C, or inertial systems.
• Experience integrating and testing complex hardware/software systems.
• Experience in System Requirements development and traceability and/or verification and validation.
• Implementation of specialized test development for verification and validation, such as Enhanced Ground Test (EGT).
• Demonstrated ability to present complex data in a compelling manner both verbally and visually.
• Experience leading or contributing to technical and cost proposals.
• Technical leadership experience, serving as a Technical Director, Task Leader, or Principal Investigator.
• Existing active US Government Security Clearance.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain an active US Government Security…