Distinguished Astronomical Instrument Engineer

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 is conducting a nationwide search for a scientist/engineer with background and deep experience in astronomy, optical engineering, optomechanics, or astrophysics and hands-on technical experience with optics-based celestial imaging instruments and astronomy-based data reduction and analysis.

The successful applicant can expect to be a part of complex technology development efforts, with important responsibilities including: proposing, capturing, and leading large-scale astronomical instrumentation projects; conceptualizing, designing, and modeling novel and complex observing instruments; and training, building, and mentoring engineering teams and team members.

It expected that a successful candidate will have a proven track record in (a) engineering excellence and achievement, (b) proposal development and business capture, (c) external business and vendor management; (d) technical directorship, and (e) team leadership and mentorship. In addition, the ability to quickly learn on-the-job skills is expected.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Independently formulate hardware instrument solutions to complex, multidisciplinary problems with a deep understanding of a customer's strategic priorities.
• Capable of helping customers shape their needs and develop hardware instrument requirements for programs that solve their most challenging technical problems.
• Subject Matter Expert in hardware instrument device development with broad knowledge across related technical disciplines.
• Lead large, technically diverse Hardware Instrument projects
• Designs experiments and experimental hardware to prove which design concepts are viable and optimal.
• Collaborates with other engineers to design and develop prototype and production hardware to meet the application needs.
• Collaborates with other groups to integrate precision instruments into larger systems, delivering on performance metrics.
• Drafts and presents formal technical documents, reports, and testing results.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of the design, development, and application of a wide variety of instruments.
• Understanding of the processes used in the fabrication of precision instrument hardware.
• 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, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, and/or other design & analysis tools relevant to your discipline.

Education

Requires a bachelors degree in Mechanical, Applied Physics, Electrical or Computer Engineering required; Masters or PhD degree preferred.

Experience

Requires 15+ years of experience in Hardware Instrument Engineering or related.

Additional Job Description

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

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• 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 $75,000.00 - $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.