Sensor Electrical Engineering Co-op (Spring 2027)

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Draper Labs in Cambridge, MA invites a six‑month sensor electronics co‑op/internship from January to June 2027. Candidates will support precision inertial guidance instrument development, work with senior staff, and participate in design, prototyping, analysis and testing.

Applicants must be US citizens enrolled in an accredited engineering curriculum and have hands‑on electronics experience. Onsite internship with potential project matching across teams.

Qualifications

• US citizens enrolled in an accredited engineering curriculum
• Candidates should have experience with two or more listed skills or tools
• Prior hands-on electronics design, testing, and debugging is beneficial

Responsibilities

• Support R&D of precision inertial guidance instruments
• Collaborate with senior technical staff across programs
• Participate in design, prototyping, analysis, modeling, and testing

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

LabVIEW

Digital/FPGA concepts

Signal integrity

Tools

SPICE

CST

COMSOL

ANSYS HFSS/SIwave

Vivado

Libero

Cadence

Mentor Graphics

PCB design

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:

Sensor Electrical Engineering Co‑Ops and Interns at Draper will primarily support the research and development of precision inertial guidance instruments for next‑generation guidance applications. Successful candidates are self‑stators and team‑players with a desire to learn new things and advance technology while working with our results‑oriented teams. This position will directly impact the national security of the United States of America and push the boundaries of what is technically possible.

Successful candidates will be matched with an appropriate team based on their skills and experience. Students will have the opportunity to work with senior technical staff on various programs and will be expected to effectively communicate their work both orally and in written memos and presentations. As a student you will participate in all aspects of the product development process including design and prototyping, analysis and simulation, and modeling and test.

You may work on various system types including the following:

• Instrumentation electronics including low-noise operational amplifiers, analog to digital & digital to analog converters, and analog filtering
• State-of-the-art accelerometers, gyroscopes and other novel sensors in various form factors including MEMS.
• Layout, routing, integration, and test of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
• Digital systems that utilize FPGAs, Microcontrollers and ASICs to implement algorithms for signal, image, and data processing

DURATION: This position will run for 6 months, from January through June of 2027.

QUALIFICATIONS

Students must be US citizens who are enrolled in an accredited engineering curriculum. Candidates will be matched to a group based on their relevant experience and interests. Below is a list of broad qualifications sought across the division. Candidates are not expected to have every skill listed but should have experience with two or more of the following:

• Scripting and modeling in MATLAB, Simulink, Labview, etc.
• Simulation tools such as SPICE, CST, COMSOL, and ANSYS HFSS/SIwave
• Digital/FPGA design tools, such as Xilinx Vivado and Microsemi Libero
• Board & chip design tool sets, such as Cadence and Mentor Graphics
• Signal integrity, layout, and grounding design principles
• Digital signal processing, classical controls, and/or modern controls
• Hands on experience in digital and/or analog electronics design, test, and debug

* Due to the nature of the work at Draper, US Citizenship status is required. Draper is unable to sponsor or hire individuals holding H1B or Student Visas. Dual-citizens are unable to be accepted for this position.

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

$20.00 - $45.00

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].