Draper
Direct Workday career site

Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer

Pay
$82,300 – $220,000 per year
Location
Cambridge, MA · On-site
Job type
Full-time
Level
Lead / Staff
Experience
5+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Listed
14 days ago

Skills & highlights for this role

  • Embedded software development
  • Real-time systems
  • OS coding techniques
  • IP protocols
  • Hardware subsystems
  • Algorithm design
  • Software testing
  • Requirements analysis
  • Software configuration management
  • Defect tracking
  • Peer review processes
  • C
  • C++
  • Rust

Also useful

  • UML
  • SysML
  • In-circuit emulators
  • JTAG debugging
  • Laboratory test equipment
  • Secret government security clearance

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

The Software Engineer (SMTS) develops high performance solutions for resource constrained targets. Develops next-generation resilient and fault tolerant software solutions in the application domains of undersea, terrestrial, air, hypersonics and space. The Engineer is involved in the full software development life cycle.

Duties/Responsibilities

  • Evaluates requirements, proposes solutions, explores design trades to support a design.
  • Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques.
  • Develops embedded software based on prototype algorithms with supervision.
  • Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
  • Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
  • Evaluates results to establish problem causes and develop solutions for inefficient or problems.
  • Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
  • Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
  • Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to requirements development and architecture solution ideation.
  • Ability to take responsibility for subset of engineering scope.
  • Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies for them.
  • Actively mentor less experienced engineers.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

  • Excellent development and troubleshooting skills on embedded targets.
  • Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques IP protocols interfaces and hardware subsystems.
  • Expertise in software development for real-time systems.
  • Mastery of high level development languages (e.g. C/C++, Rust)
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Knowledge of software configuration management tools defect tracking tools and peer review processes.
  • Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  • Experience with UML/SysML.
  • Experience with in-circuit emulators, JTAG debuggers and laboratory test equipment.

Education

Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.

Experience

Requires 5-10 years experience in Software Engineering or related.

Additional Job Description

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

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.

Read the original posting

From Draper's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 26, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

How Rolev.ai helps with this application

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Common questions

What is the salary for the Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer role at Draper?

The Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer posting at Draper states compensation of $82,300 – $220,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Draper's official career site.

Where is the Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer job at Draper located?

This Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer position at Draper is located in Cambridge, MA (On-site). Always check Draper's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

What qualifications are required for Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer at Draper?

For the Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer role, Draper highlights 5+ years of relevant experience; a bachelor's degree; experience with Embedded software development, Real-time systems, OS coding techniques, IP protocols, Hardware subsystems, Algorithm design. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.

How do I apply for the Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer position at Draper?

This listing links directly to Draper's Workday application page. You can apply directly on Draper's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Workday application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.