New

Group Lead - Intelligent Mission Applications

Draper Labs
United States, Massachusetts, Cambridge
555 Technology Square (Show on map)
Jul 15, 2026
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: As part of the Software Engineering Division, the primary focus of the Intelligent Mission Applications Group is the generation and analysis of software requirements, system software architectures based on those requirements, system software decomposition to functional components (CSC's), implementation in the optimal language for the mission, unit testing, and delivery of an integrated software product. The group has deep expertise in complex avionics architectures and mission-critical software, as well as multi-core processors, GPUs, and all modern computing hardware. Working with microkernels, OSAL implementation, secure boot loaders and overall system security are also part of this group's responsibility. The group provides innovative and cutting edge software solutions to meet the most challenging mission requirements. The software developed by this group must be highly reliable and robust in order to architect new system capability solutions and enabling technologies for a wide variety of systems. These systems include hypersonic weapon systems, autonomous and collaborative systems, integrated air & missile defense systems, global strike and power projection in contested environments, and other systems critical for our nation's security and defense. This group will also apply the tools and technologies for development and testing of flight code built upon its custom operating systems (preliminary through pre-release versions) using SIMICS, QEMU, Simulink, and other industry standard tools. The Group Leader is responsible for leading and managing a group of approximately 10 - 20 engineers who have technical and domain expertise related to the group's focus areas and can provide the highest level of support to our customers. The continual development and advancement of Draper's expertise for specific mission domains and related embedded systems technology is a key focus of the Group Leader. Group Leaders are the first layer of Line Management in Engineering at Draper. Their main responsibility is the care and development of their direct reports to ensure Draper has the workforce it needs to meet its customer needs both now and in the future. Group Leaders are responsible for administrative duties (e.g. staffing, hiring, performance reviews), workforce development (e.g. training, mentoring), and developing/furthering the group's charter/capabilities (e.g. developing technology/capability roadmaps, improving processes/ procedures/ best practices). The Group Leader is expected to: Ensure the long-term success of the group, and its contributions to Draper, by 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, coop, and internships cohorts. Support and enable the technical and career growth of individual staff members by performing check-in reviews and annual performance reviews, as well as advocating for leadership, mentorship, and training opportunities. Job Description:* Duties/Responsibilities * Manage administrative details and career development for group members. * Convey relevant information from management to group members. * Lead, mentor, build depth their area of expertise. and conduct performance evaluations of group members. * Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions (responsibilities and required qualifications) for hiring as required, 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 customer's strategic priorities. 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 related discipline. Experience 5-7 years of experience in the engineering; design, development, and management of complex systems. Additional Job Description: Technical domain expertise in developing, customizing, and maturing new operating systems technologies and implementing them in the design for advanced first-of-a-kind systems. Prior experience in leading medium and large teams through the full lifecycle development of software in the embedded systems space, preferably mission critical or safety critical systems Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Secret Clearance is required. Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration. 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 $82,300.00 - $220,000.00 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, apply now www.draper.com/careers. 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 hr@draper.com.