DevSecOps Engineer

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Employee clubs

Off-site social events

Museum discounts

Job summary

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Cambridge, MA, seeks an experienced software engineer to design and operate secure, automated CI/CD pipelines for mission-critical embedded and flight software, enabling reproducible builds and compliant delivery in air-gapped environments.

You will collaborate with software, systems, and cybersecurity teams to standardize toolchains across Linux, RTOS platforms, containerization, and SCA tools, while supporting Do-178C, RMF, and FIPS requirements and

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 3-5 years of software engineering experience.
• Ability to work in secure, air-gapped environments.
• Experience with embedded/flight software and DO-178C.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute task assignments with oversight from program leadership.
• Design algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques; adhere to software best practices.
• Analyze designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develop and execute software tests to verify requirements.
• Prepare technical data, procedures, reports, and manuals.
• Communicate with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements.

Skills

GitLab CI/CD

Python

C/C++

Bash

Cross-compilation

RTOS

Docker/Podman

Kubernetes

Terraform/Ansible

SBOMs/Software supply chain security

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GCC/Clang

Yocto/Buildroot

VxWorks/FreeRTOS/Zephyr

Docker/Podman

Kubernetes

Terraform

Ansible

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

Designs and operates secure, automated CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI/CD for mission‑critical embedded and flight software systems, enabling reproducible builds, integrated security controls, and compliant delivery in constrained and air‑gapped environments. Partners with software, systems, and cybersecurity teams to standardize toolchains, enforce policy‑as‑code, and meet defense standards (e.g., DO‑178C, NIST 800‑53, RMF, STIGs). Requires proficiency in GitLab (pipelines, runners, package registry), scripting (Python, Bash), and systems languages (C/C++), along with experience in cross‑compilation (GCC/Clang, Yocto, Buildroot), RTOS platforms (VxWorks, FreeRTOS, Zephyr), containerization (Docker/Podman), Kubernetes, infrastructure‑as‑code (Terraform, Ansible), and software supply chain security (SAST/DAST/SCA tools, SBOMs, artifact signing). Familiarity with Linux hardening, FIPS environments, PKI/TLS, and delivery to classified or disconnected systems is expected.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Independently execute task assignments under the some oversight of program leadership and/or senior staff.
• Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adheres to software best practices.
• Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
• Identify challenges and risks associated with assigned tasks and communicate them to project leadership.
• Drives solutions to complex problems with limited direction – contribute to requirements development, propose unique solutions, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Provides insight and suggest adaptations or modifications to processes and/or applications based on quantitative data or results.
• Identifies project technical risks and mitigation strategies.

Skills/Abilities

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate an ability to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• A team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.

Education

Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field. Master's degree is preferred.

Experience

3-5 years experience in Software Engineering or related field.

Additional Job Description

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

Job Location

• City: Cambridge
• State: Massachusetts
• Postal Code: 02139-3563

Salary

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $75,000.00 - $220,000.00. 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. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Benefits and Perks

• 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.

DEI and Inclusion

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].

We are in the business of redefining what is possible.

Culture and Opportunities

We are in the business of redefining what is possible. Join our inclusive, multidisciplinary team to engineer the groundbreaking solutions of tomorrow. Explore life at Draper with our unique culture and benefits at draper.com.