DevSecOps Engineer

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

Job summary

Draper, a nonprofit research and development organization headquartered in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Software Engineer to design and operate secure CI/CD pipelines for mission‑critical embedded and flight software. You will work with software, systems, and cybersecurity teams to standardize toolchains, enforce policy as code, and meet defense standards such as DO-178C and RMF.

The role requires GitLab CI/CD proficiency, scripting in Python and Bash, and strong C/C++ skills, with experience in

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 3–5 years of software engineering experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance; Secret clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs and operates secure, automated CI/CD pipelines for embedded and flight software.
• Partner with software, systems, and cybersecurity teams to standardize toolchains and policies.
• Develops and maintains scripts and build systems for cross‑platform environments.
• Ensures compliance with DO-178C, NIST 800‑53, RMF, and STIGs.
• Supports delivery to classified or disconnected systems where required.
• Contributes to requirements development and provides data‑driven process improvements.

Skills

Curiosity-driven problem solving

Learn new programming languages

Collaboration and communication

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GitLab CI/CD

Python

Bash

C/C++

Yocto/Buildroot

Linux

Docker

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

Cambridge

Massachusetts

02139-3563

Salary

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.

• workplace flexibility
• employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga
• health and finance workshops
• off site social events
• 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].