ECAD Layout and Implementation Group Leader

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance programs

Employee clubs (photography to yoga)

Social events and cultural discounts

Job summary

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks an ECAD Group Leader to guide a team of PCB layout designers and drive day-to-day execution of electronic designs. The role requires deep circuit board design expertise, collaboration with engineers, and leadership of 10–20 staff.

Responsibilities include adherence to design standards, mentorship, project staffing, and developing capability roadmaps aligned with Draper’s strategic priorities. A US security clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in engineering, design, development, and management of complex systems.
• Strong ability to supervise a team of 10–20 engineers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Subject Matter Expert for ECAD layout.
• Oversee concurrent, constraint-driven PCB layout processes for complex designs.
• Interface with hardware and electrical engineers to clarify design constraints and requirements.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary ECAD/MCAD efforts to fit board layouts within mechanical enclosures.
• Ensure design for manufacturing (DFM) guidelines are met before release.
• Mentor, develop, and conduct performance evaluations for group members.

Skills

Excellent communication

Presenting complex tech

Microsoft Office

Team supervision

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Siemens Xpedition

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

Group Leaders are the first layer of Line Management in Engineering at Draper. Their main responsibility is the care and development of their direct reports to ensure Draper has the workforce it needs to meet its customer needs both now and in the future. Group Leaders are responsible for administrative duties (e.g. staffing, hiring, performance reviews), workforce development (e.g. training, mentoring), and developing/furthering the group's charter/capabilities (e.g. developing technology/capability roadmaps, improving processes/ procedures/ best practices). The ECAD Implementation Group Leader manages a team of PCB layout designers. You will guide the day-to-day execution of electronic designs. Success requires expertise in circuit board design best practices, application of industry standards, the Siemens Xpedition Enterprise design flow, cross-functional collaboration, and team mentorship.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Subject Matter Expert for ECAD layout.
• Standard and advanced circuit board design technology tools and methods.
• Circuit board design standards and best practices.
• Work in close collaboration with the ECAD Operations Group.
• Supervise, mentor, and train PCB layout designers.
• Assign projects based on team capacity, skill level, and schedule demands.
• Oversee concurrent, constraint-driven PCB layout processes for complex, high-density designs.
• Interface with hardware and electrical engineers to clarify design constraints and requirements.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary ECAD/MCAD efforts to guarantee board layouts fit within mechanical enclosures.
• Ensure design for manufacturing (DFM) guidelines are met before release.
• Ensure team proficiency in the Siemens EDA Xpedition Enterprise suite, including Layout, CES (Constraint Editor System), and EDM (Engineering Data Management).
• Manage administrative details and career development for group members.
• Convey relevant information from management to group members.
• Lead, mentor, build depth in their area of expertise, and conduct performance evaluations of group members.
• Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions (responsibilities and qualifications) for hiring as required, review and disposition incoming resumes, conduct interviews.
• 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 customers' strategic priorities.
• Maintain cognizance of group member activity and address issues.
• Conduct performance evaluations of group members.

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

• 7+ 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 US government security clearance.

Job Location

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

Salary

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $95,000.00 - $245,000.00 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.

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.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

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.

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.