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Production Engineer

Draper
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 15 Sept 2025
💰 $205,750/yr($62,500/yr$205,750/yr)

About the role

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:

Draper is seeking a Production Engineer with experience in electromechanical system design and manufacturing. The product engineer role at Draper is less about a specific “product” and more about providing a system-level perspective that will help mature advanced (often first-of-a-kind) prototype designs with an eye towards manufacturability, assimilability, and reliability (i.e., DFx).

The role requires the candidate to support interactions between program subject matter experts and both outside vendors and internal services and help develop plans for how to get from prototype to low-rate production. Experience with vendor management and an understanding of the DOD Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) process are important.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Support cross-functional design engineering teams and the integration of DFx activities into the prototype stage of the hardware product development cycle.
• Assist in the transition path from prototype design to the manufacturing stage.
• Support external vendors and/or internal services as necessary to achieve program goals.
• Able to learn and understand the product specifications, requirements, and production capability needed to meet those specifications in a low-rate production environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate DFx study findings and proposed design updates team members.
• Organization, planning and time management skills to achieve program goals.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs to create product concepts.
• Gather materials or resources needed to design the product.
• Test the product for usability and safety.
• Oversee the manufacturing and production process to set standards.
• Help define the approach to solve a particular problem and independently execute assignments.
• Contribute high quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance.
• Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design and manufacturing decisions and communicate them to project leadership.

Skills/Abilities
• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• Be a team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.

Education
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field.

Experience
3-5 years experience in Product Engineering or related.
 

Additional Job Description:

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

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

$62,500.00 - $205,750.00

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 c

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Company

Draper

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