Principal Production Test Engineer

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

Job summary

Draper, an independent nonprofit research and development company in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Principle Production Test Engineer to guide I&T from development to production for electro‑mechanical and electro‑optical systems used in GN&C, defense, and space applications.

You will design test equipment, author checkout procedures, and train users, while troubleshooting and driving root-cause analysis across programs.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a related engineering or physics field.
• 7–10 years of Systems Engineering or a similar role.
• Defense background and security clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and control priorities, scope, schedule, and cost to baselines.
• Derive system-level I&T requirements from mission needs and define test procedures.
• Identify and mitigate I&T risks and issues with customers.
• Act as SME to develop and implement I&T approaches through lifecycle.
• Develop and execute mitigation strategies for program/system risks.
• Create, document, and teach best practices to junior engineers.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Curiosity-driven

Team collaboration

Fast-paced

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Computer/Systems Eng or Applied Physics

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 Production Test Engineering & Execution Group at Draper is seeking a Principle Production Test Engineer with broad technical skills and a wealth of industry experience in the transition and maturation of acceptance testing from development into production. This individual will guide and enable production test capabilities on a wide variety of electro-mechanical and electro-optical systems with applications including GN&C (Guidance, Navigation and Control), defense, space, and other related areas. Tasking will include development, deployment, and maintenance of in-process and final acceptance testing solutions. Design and development of test equipment and training for users of equipment. Authoring and maintaining complex system checkout procedures for use by Production Operations, support and maturation of those procedures. Troubleshooting, root-cause/corrective action identification, and disposition of tested assets.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities

• Manage and control priorities, scope, schedule, and cost to baselines by proactively monitoring program/task performance across larger activities.
• Independently derive system-level I&T requirements based on mission requirements and defines plans, approaches, and detailed test procedures to solve complex I&T problems.
• Helps customers understand and adequately mitigate and resolve I&T risks and issues.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) able to develop and implement I&T approaches through a program lifecycle.
• Identify program/system-level I&T technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers. Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, industry and 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
• Be 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 degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.

Experience

Requires 7-10 years in Systems Engineering or relevant role.

Additional Job Description:

A defense background is preferred, with experience in CCA, E/M assemblies, or MEMS devices.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Secret Clearance is desired, Top Secret Clearance is preferred.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

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.

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. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you,

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].