Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Draper Labs; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 11,250 - 13,750; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace flexibility

Employee clubs

Health/finance workshops

Off-site social events

Discounts to museums

Job summary

Draper seeks a Mechanical Engineer for advanced design and development tasks in Cambridge, MA. You will perform concept exploration, trade studies, prototyping, and testing with limited guidance, contributing to robust mechanical solutions for demanding environments.

Requires a BS in Mechanical Engineering with 15+ years of full-cycle mechanical design experience; Master’s preferred. Proficiency with CAD and MATLAB is expected, along with strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• 15+ years of full-cycle mechanical design experience.
• Experience with MATLAB and CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform design exploration, trade studies, prototyping, and testing with minimal guidance.
• Define design approach and independently execute assignments.
• Contribute technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance.
• Identify design risks and communicate them to project leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Curiosity-driven

Collaboration

Teamwork

Multitasking

Applied math/physics

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Modeling/Simulation tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

MATLAB

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:

Draper Mechanical Engineers develop novel solutions to customer‑driven problems including ruggedized miniature electro‑mechanical systems, systems for harsh environments (e.g., high‑g, high temperature, high vibration), dynamic mechanisms, and autonomous systems.

Job Description:

• Performs mechanical design concept exploration, trade study analysis, down‑selection, prototyping, and testing with minimal guidance from group leader.
• Help define the design approach for a particular problem and independently execute assignments.
• Contribute high‑quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance.
• Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design decisions and communicate them to project leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

• Curiosity‑driven approach to solving complex, customer‑driven problems as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi‑disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non‑technical personnel.
• Team player able to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Thorough understanding of applied math and physics.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficient with general modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, computer‑aided design (CAD) software, and other design & analysis tools relevant to the discipline.

Education:

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field. Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience:

• Requires 15+ years with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or full‑cycle mechanical design experience.

Security Clearance:

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

Job Location:

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

Salary:

US base salary range for this full‑time position is $62,500.00 – $237,500.00.

Benefits and Work‑Life Balance:

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.

EEO Statement:

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. 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].