Group leader - state

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

At Draper, we are redefining what’s possible in precision instrumentation. We’re looking for an accomplished and visionary engineering leader to guide our Solid-State Instruments Group; a team dedicated to the conception, design, and development of advanced sensors that power inertial instruments and other one-of-a-kind applications.

This is more than a management role, it’s an opportunity to inspire world-class engineers, set technical direction, and deliver innovations that matter.

How You’ll Lead

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for a group developing precision solid-state sensors, from concept through production and deployed system support.
• Cultivate a collaborative, innovative culture where engineers are motivated to do their best work and grow their careers.
• Oversee design, modeling, simulation, and integration of MEMS and other solid-state sensors, ensuring designs translate into fielded, high-reliability systems.
• Guide transitions from R&D into production, ensuring scalability, quality, and supportability.
• Develop new business opportunities, lead proposal efforts, and strengthen our leadership in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies.
• Recruit, mentor, and invest in a team of exceptional engineers who thrive on solving complex, mission-critical challenges.
  
  

Your Experience & Expertise

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline, with 10+ years of experience in sensor design, transducer development, or related fields.
• A track record of building, leading, and inspiring hardware instrumentation or sensor engineering teams, delivering both technical innovation and team growth.
• Hands-on knowledge of sensor/transducer design and analysis tools, fabrication processes, and system-level integration (mechanical, electrical, and software).
• Experience transitioning advanced prototypes to production and supporting deployed systems in the field.
• Strong proposal development experience, excellent written and oral communication, and comfort presenting at the highest technical and customer levels.
• Willingness to travel and represent Draper’s mission where it matters most.
  
  

Why This Role Matters

As the Group Leader of the Solid-State Instruments team, you will play a critical role in shaping technologies that protect national security and enable mission success in the most demanding environments. You’ll have the resources of a world-class R&D organization, the freedom to innovate, and the responsibility to build and inspire a team that delivers breakthroughs.

If you’re a seasoned sensor engineer who thrives on leading people, driving innovation, and leaving an impact that lasts, this is your opportunity.

Duties/Responsibilities

Job Description:

• Manage administrative details and career development for group members.
• Convey relevant information from management to group members.
• Lead, mentor, build depth 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

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

Additional Job Description

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

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$100,000.00 - $250,000.00

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 skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected].