Cable Harness and Interconnect Design Engineer

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance programs

Employee clubs and activities

Museum and cultural activity discounts

Job summary

Draper is seeking an experienced Cable Harness and Interconnect Design Engineer to develop rugged wiring harnesses and interconnects for mission-critical systems in defense, space, and autonomous platforms. You will collaborate across electrical, mechanical, and systems teams from concept through prototyping and delivery.

You’ll own the design process, perform trade studies, and apply MIL-STD and IPC standards to ensure high reliability in harsh environments, including high-g, vibration, and

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Master’s degree is preferred but not required for consideration.
• Experience in design of harnesses and interconnect systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design high reliability cable harnesses, interconnects, and connectors for ruggedized systems.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers to align requirements.
• Apply MIL-STD and IPC standards in connector and cable selections.
• Perform trade studies, tolerance analyses, and material selections.
• Create 3D models, 2D drawings, and manufacturing documentation.
• Work with production and suppliers to validate designs and resolve issues.
• Contribute to process improvements in interconnect design tooling.

Skills

System-level mindset

Design ownership

Problem solving

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

CAD software

Job description

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 www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary

Draper is seeking an experienced Cable Harness and Interconnect Design Engineer who will play a key role in the early stages of complex programs; developing rugged, high reliability interconnect solutions that enable mission critical systems to perform in the most demanding environments. This includes the design and development of wiring harnesses, cabling, and connector systems that support RF and other sensitive signals, as well as board-to-board and system level interconnects.

You’ll join a highly collaborative mechanical design team that owns the full product lifecycle, from concept and trade studies through prototyping, testing, and final delivery. Your work will directly contribute to systems used in defense, space, and autonomous platforms where performance and reliability are non‑negotiable.

What You’ll Bring

• A system level mindset, capable of balancing electrical, mechanical, and manufacturability considerations.


• A strong desire to own the design process, from initial concept to delivered hardware.


• Curiosity and creativity in solving complex interconnect challenges that have real‑world national security impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop high reliability cable harnesses, interconnects, and connector assemblies for ruggedized systems and harsh environments (high-g, vibration, temperature extremes).


• Partner with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers to define requirements and ensure design compatibility across disciplines.


• Apply knowledge of MIL-STD connectors, IPC Class 2 & 3 cable/connector standards, and relevant industry specifications.


• Perform trade studies, tolerance analyses, and material selection to optimize reliability and performance.


• Generate detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and documentation to support manufacturing and assembly.


• Collaborate with production teams and suppliers to validate designs, support builds, and resolve non-conformances.


• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts to advance interconnect design processes and tooling.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs mechanical design concept exploration, trade study analysis, down‑selection, prototyping, and testing with minimal guidance from group leader.


• Help define the design approach for a particular problem and independently execute assignments.


• Contribute high quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance.


• Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design decisions and communicate them to project leadership.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.


• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.


• Team player able to work in a fast-paced environment.


• Ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.


• Thorough understanding of applied math and physics.


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Proficient with general modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and/or other design & analysis tools relevant to your discipline.

Education

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field. Master's degree is preferred.

Experience

• Requires 3-5 years with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or full cycle of mechanical design experience.


• 0-3 years experience with a master's degree.

Additional Job Description

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

Job Location

City: Cambridge

State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $75,000.00 - $156,000.00

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.

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 [e-mail].