Digital Engineering Developer

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace flexibility

Employee clubs

Discounts to local museums

Job summary

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Cambridge, MA is seeking an MTS-2 Digital Engineering Developer to help design, develop, and maintain software infrastructure for national security programs.

You will work under senior engineers to gain hands-on experience with container technologies and modern DevOps practices. You will build Python/Java services, containerize applications with Docker and Podman, and contribute to CI/CD pipelines while collaborating with systems engineers and data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• 3–5 years of software engineering or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain Python and Java services supporting data flow and analytics pipelines.
• Containerize and orchestrate applications using Docker and Podman to create reproducible build environments.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automation with scripts in Python or Bash.
• Collaborate with systems engineers to integrate software components into larger architectures.
• Provide cross-domain data workflow support and troubleshoot runtime issues in containerized environments.

Skills

Python

Java

Docker

Podman

CI/CD pipelines

Git

Cloud concepts

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Docker

Podman

Git

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

The MTS-2 Digital Engineering Developer will join the Digital Retrieval, Engineering, Architecture, and Management (DREAM) Group to design, develop, and maintain software centric infrastructure for multi domain national security programs. Working under senior engineers, the incumbent will apply basic software development knowledge to well defined problems, gain hands on experience with container technologies, and grow technical breadth through continuous learning.

Key Capability Areas

• Technical Depth & Breadth: Apply foundational software engineering concepts to well scoped tasks and using the following languages (Python or Java) and tooling (Docker, Podman, CI/CD pipelines).
• Best Practice & QMS Adherence: Follow Draper’s established processes and quality standards, suggesting improvements when appropriate.
• Growth Mindset: Pursue formal and informal learning to deepen expertise in software infrastructure and cloud native patterns.
• Problem Definition & Execution: Understand task level requirements, independently solve scoped problems, and conduct basic research when needed.
• Resource Utilization: Seek help and leverage available resources; collaborate across teams.
• Process Improvement: Identify and communicate task level inefficiencies to leadership.
• Project Management & Teamwork: Execute assignments on schedule, report issues promptly, and hold self accountable as an active team member.
• Professionalism & Mentoring: Maintain a respectful work environment and receive constructive feedback positively.

Core Responsibilities

• Software Infrastructure Development • Design, implement, and maintain Python and Java services that support data flow and analytics pipelines.
• Develop, containerize, and orchestrate applications using Docker and Podman, creating reproducible build environments.
• CI/CD & Automation • Write scripts (Python/Bash) to automate builds, tests, and deployments into container registries and orchestration platforms.
• Contribute to continuous integration pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins) ensuring reliable delivery.
• System Integration & Support • Collaborate with systems engineers to integrate software components into larger architectures (e.g., service oriented architecture).
• Provide support for cross domain data workflows, troubleshooting runtime issues in containerized environments.
• Process & Quality Adherence • Follow Draper’s QMS and best practice guidelines; suggest improvements when appropriate.
• Team Collaboration & Communication • Work closely with lead engineers, cross functional teammates (systems, ML, data science), and external partners.
• Produce concise technical notes, meeting minutes, and status updates.
• Professional Development • Attend internal training, webinars, and conferences to broaden technical skill set, especially in modern DevOps practices.

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

• Technical Skills: Fundamental understanding of software development and infrastructure concepts.
• Basic proficiency in Python and Java for scripting and application development.
• Familiarity with container technologies (Docker, Podman) and version‑control systems (Git).
• Ability to write clear documentation and communicate technical ideas to diverse audiences.
• Preferred Attributes - Interest in interdisciplinary work spanning Systems Engineering, MBSE, and Data Science.
• Applicants selected for this position may be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Job Location

City: Cambridge

State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02139-3563

Salary and Benefits

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.

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.

Equal‑Opportunity Statement

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].

Company Culture and Benefits

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.