Group Lead-System Integration & Test II

Draper; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper in Cambridge, MA seeks a Group Leader to head the System Integration & Test 2 group within the Integration & Test Division. You will shape test strategies, manage cross‑discipline teams, and ensure verification and validation across complex systems.

Responsibilities include staffing, performance reviews, stakeholder collaboration, and roadmap alignment with Draper’s core capabilities. A strong engineering background and security clearance are preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in design, development, and management of complex systems.
• Active US Government Security Clearance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a group of 15-20 engineers with focus on system integration and testing.
• Plan, execute, and oversee development, verification, and validation activities.
• Develop and drive technology roadmaps and project plans with internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentor staff, conduct performance reviews, and promote technical leadership.
• Partner with customers and program offices to align capabilities with needs.
• Support business development through technical and cost proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

MS Office

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

MS Office

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.

Job Description Summary

The Integration & Test Division within the Systems Engineering directorate is seeking a Group Leader to lead our System Integration & Test 2 Group. The Division serves as the system integrator for technologies and product lines developed using Draper’s core capabilities. The Division plans, executes, and manages I&T activities starting from early test concept development through system certification. This includes functional simulation, technology maturation, system and sub-system integration, verification and validation (V&V), performance evaluation, and acceptance testing. In addition, the Division leverages multi-disciplinary engineering expertise and collaborates with front-end Systems Engineers and the Digital Engineering & Enabling Technologies Division to establish clear, verifiable, and traceable requirements, inform and drive system concepts, architectures, and designs to promote testability, and utilizes resident expertise and lessons learned to support the development of highly reliable, robust, and complex systems.

Responsibilities

• The primary focus of the System Integration & Test 2 Group is to plan and conduct the integration and testing (development, acceptance, verification, qualification) of complex systems across a broad application space. The group supports all of Draper’s business areas to ensure that we deliver verified and validated systems to our customers.
• The group supports projects throughout the development lifecycle. Early planning is necessary to provide inputs on testability of requirements and provide feedback on designs to ensure ease of integration. Integration support includes development of hardware, software, cabling and documentation of the design.
• The Group Leader is responsible for leading and managing a group of approximately 15-20 engineers with technical and domain expertise related to the group’s focus areas and providing the highest level of support to our customers. The continual advancement of Draper’s expertise in developing and maturing the most advanced technologies is a key focus of the Group Leader.
• Ensure the long-term success of the group, shaping the group’s talented workforce, while maintaining and developing key, differentiating capabilities that align with customer and business needs.
• Collaborate regularly with internal group members, Draper Program Offices, customers/sponsors, other Draper engineering groups, and the external technical community.
• Partner with customers/sponsors, Draper Program Managers and subject matter experts within Draper to develop and implement strategic plans and technology roadmaps.
• Promote and direct internal and external R&D activities, including development and alignment of research proposals with technology roadmaps, collaborations with universities and direction of scholar, co-op, and internship cohorts.
• Support and enable the technical and career growth of individual staff members by performing check-in reviews and annual performance reviews, advocating for leadership, mentorship, and training opportunities.
• Lead, mentor, build depth in their area of expertise, and conduct performance evaluations of group members.
• Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions, review and disposition incoming resumes, conduct interviews.
• Serve as Lead Subject Matter Expert for area of specialty.
• 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 a related discipline.

Experience

7+ years of experience in engineering; design, development, and management of complex systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading and conducting electromechanical systems integration and test.
• Technical leadership experience, serving as a Technical Director, Task Leader, or Principal Investigator in the development of new technologies or applications.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex data in a compelling manner both verbally and visually.
• Experience leading or contributing to technical and cost proposals.
• Interest and/or experience in technology and market trends.
• Existing (active) US Government Security Clearance.

Security Requirements

• Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance.

Location

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-3563

Compensation

$95,000.00 - $245,000.00

EEO 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].