Senior Equipment Specialist

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance programs

Employee clubs

Health and finance workshops

Discounts to local museums

Job summary

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks a Senior Equipment Specialist to maintain manufacturing equipment, troubleshoot issues, and lead preventive maintenance in high‑mix production.

The role requires hands‑on engineering expertise and collaboration with operations and engineering teams onsite. You will train operators, develop SOPs, create sparing plans, and mentor fellow specialists while ensuring equipment reliability and safety.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, or STEM field required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5+ years experience in a manufacturing environment performing equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain manufacturing equipment and ensure operational efficiency.
• Provide SME on platforms or complex equipment.
• Plan and perform preventive maintenance and troubleshoot equipment.
• Develop sparing strategies and coordinate with vendors.
• Train operators and maintain training records.
• Input equipment status in MES and participate in process development.

Skills

Equipment maintenance

Dynamic environment

Detail-oriented

Diagnostics & troubleshooting

Structured problem-solving

Communication skills

Training others

Education

Associate degree in engineering/chemistry/materials science

Bachelor's degree preferred

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 Senior Equipment Specialist works in one of Draper’s production areas (e.g. circuit card assembly and system assembly) and is responsible for the reliability and upkeep of the manufacturing equipment in that space. Duties include: troubleshooting equipment issues, conducting preventative maintenance, repairing and installing equipment, working with external vendors, creating training plans, certifying operators and equipment specialists in operation and maintenance, generating and maintaining SOPs, and developing plans for sparing and maintenance. A Senior Equipment Specialist may also perform process development or support process and product engineering in process development exercises. This role is an onsite position and is not eligible for remote work.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintaining manufacturing equipment and ensuring operational efficiency in a dynamic environment
• May be a SME on a given platform or family of complex equipment
• Provide support to Production team with challenges involved with running a high mix manufacturing environment
• Ensures the reliability and performance of manufacturing equipment
• Plan, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance on manufacturing equipment to ensure operational efficiency
• Ensures pre-production acceptance methods result in product robustness and high work cell capacity and validates out of control action plan effectivity to minimize operational risk
• Understanding of tools’ statistical process control methodology and daily monitoring and active involvement in the selection of KCCs, KPCs, etc.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods to address equipment issues and improve processes
• Collaborate with vendors to ensure positive outcomes and effective maintenance solutions
• Develop and execute sparing strategies for manufacturing equipment
• Research and organize spare parts and provisions to keep the foundry operating smoothly
• Write procedures and specifications for equipment maintenance and operation
• Train new employees on equipment maintenance protocols and safety procedures
• Train operators on proper operation of equipment
• Maintain training records
• Input status of equipment in MES (Tool up or Down Conditions)
• Perform process development
• Mentor and train equipment specialists on maintenance procedures
• Repair, install equipment, and follow qualification protocols set by process engineering for equipment acceptance
• Assesses and mitigates operational risks related to equipment or its integration and active participant in corrective and preventative action planning and continuous improvement activates
• Participates in capital expenditure planning, identifying and reviewing new equipment purchases to support
• Coordinates facility sustaining mechanical needs and supports installation and movement of all equipment within the facility, requires coordination with cross functional groups such as operations, engineering and facilities
• Manages budgets and schedules for facility planning and executes to appropriate milestone plans
• Facility point of contact for calibration coordination

Skills/Abilities

• Relevant technical experience in equipment maintenance
• Proven ability to work in a dynamic environment and deliver results
• Detail-oriented with strong fundamentals in core equipment engineering functions
• Excellent diagnostic and troubleshooting skills for process/equipment interactions
• Practical experience applying structured problem-solving methods
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Initiative to address and appropriately escalat problems for rapid resolution

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, or STEM related field required, Bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience

5+ years experience in a manufacturing environment performing equipment maintenance

Additional Job Description

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

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $38.00 - $66.59. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. 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.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

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].

About Draper

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.