Group Leader - Production Test Development and Execution
$95k - $245k
Senior, Expert
Bachelor's
Cambridge, MA, USA
In Person
Engineering ManagementEngineering Leadership
No H1B Sponsorship
US Top Secret Clearance Required
About the job
Requirements
- A degree in Engineering or a related discipline is required.
- At least 7 years of progressive leadership experience combined with hands-on work in logistics, integration, test development, or related engineering support for advanced aerospace or defense systems.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and evaluate complex hardware-software test campaigns, including environmental, functional, performance, or acceptance testing.
- Deep understanding of logistics processes for high-value, classified hardware, including inventory control, material handling, transport, customs, and International Traffic in Arms Regulations compliance.
- Experience managing test-equipment calibration programs and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration and ISO 17025.
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize multidisciplinary challenges.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and comfort presenting technical concepts to customers, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams.
- A proven record in conflict resolution, employee development, mentorship, and building high-performing teams.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, adapt to shifting program demands, and meet aggressive delivery windows.
- Must hold a current U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance, including Sensitive Compartmented Information eligibility, at the time of hire and maintain the appropriate clearance throughout employment.
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Ability to present technical material to different levels of the engineering organization and to customers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to supervise a team of 10 to 20.
- At least 7 years of experience in engineering, including the design, development, and management of complex systems.
Responsibilities
- Define the group’s vision, technical roadmap, and performance metrics in alignment with division and enterprise production goals.
- Develop multiyear resourcing plans for personnel, test equipment, and space; create and track budgets and conduct cost-benefit analyses for logistics tooling and test-equipment procurement.
- Establish end-to-end logistics processes for receipt, storage, inventory control, transportation, customs and export compliance, and disposition.
- Implement configuration management and chain-of-custody procedures that meet Department of Defense, Department of Defense Architecture Framework, ISO 9001, and company mission-assurance standards.
- Coordinate with Procurement, Security, and Supply Chain to secure materials, clearances, and export-control approvals.
- Lead planning, scheduling, and execution of hardware-software integration and test campaigns, including functional, environmental, performance, and acceptance testing.
- Ensure test procedures, data-acquisition systems, and analysis tools are mature, repeatable, and traceable to system requirements.
- Partner with Systems Engineers, Software Leads, and Mission Assurance to close verification gaps and certify hardware for production.
- Develop production handoff packages containing validated test data, as-built documentation, logistics chain-of-custody records, and configuration baselines.
- Work with the Operations organization early in the program lifecycle to define acceptance criteria, handoff schedules, and support models.
- Track post-handoff performance metrics to support a smooth transition and continuous improvement.
- Hire and develop team members; conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and career-development planning.
- Foster a collaborative culture focused on continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and cross-disciplinary mentorship; promote diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being initiatives.
- Build relationships with program offices, customers and sponsors, other engineering divisions, and external partners such as universities, laboratories, and industry.
- Represent the group in technical reviews, proposal development, and cost-estimate workshops.
- Influence program roadmaps and technology-transition strategies through proactive engagement and information sharing.
- Identify emerging logistics, integration, and test technologies, including AI-driven test planning, autonomous material handling, and digital twins, and develop business cases for adoption.
- Guide internal and external research efforts, including co-ops, internships, and scholar programs aligned with the group roadmap; transition research outputs into operational capability.
- Manage administrative details and career development for group members.
- Convey relevant information from management to group members.
- Lead, mentor, and build depth in the group’s area of expertise; conduct performance evaluations.
- Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions, review and disposition incoming resumes, and conduct interviews.
- Serve as lead subject-matter expert for the area of specialty.
- Shape the company’s technology offerings and open new business areas based on program and technical experience.
- Analyze company strategy and work with management to build capabilities aligned with customers’ strategic priorities.
- Monitor group-member activity and address issues.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with strategic weapons, Department of Defense, space, or guidance, navigation, and control or inertial navigation systems.
- Background integrating and testing complex hardware-software platforms, including flight software or real-time control systems.
- Experience developing system requirements, traceability matrices, and verification and validation test plans; familiarity with specialized test methods such as Enhanced Ground Test, hardware-in-the-loop, or high-G vibration testing.
- A proven record leading or contributing to technical and cost proposals for large government contracts; ability to present complex data visually using Power BI, Tableau, or technical graphics.
- Prior experience as a Technical Director, Task Leader, or Principal Investigator for technology-development projects.
- Established relationships with universities, national laboratories, or industry partners that can support research collaborations or talent pipelines.
About the company
Draper is a nonprofit engineering organization that provides engineering services to government, industry, and academia, working as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or collaborator in consortia across domains from space to undersea. It tackles client needs by assembling interdisciplinary teams that turn complex concepts into working systems, building prototypes, verifying performance, and deploying usable solutions. Unlike for-profit competitors, Draper focuses on mission-driven, practical results and collaborates deeply with government, industry, and academia, using a mix of contracting and consortium participation to access diverse projects without relying on monetization. Its goal is to engineer and deliver validated systems that address the nation’s toughest problems through collaborative, mission-driven engineering.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$33.3M
Headquarters
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Founded
1973
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- ARPA-H granted Draper up to $26.7 million on February 24, 2026.
- Draper bought 105,000 square feet at 1 Hampshire Street on August 24, 2026.
- August 2026 Kendall Square expansion signals confidence despite 28.7% lab vacancy.
What critics are saying
- Barry Steer's ERISA class action survived dismissal in February 2026.
- Draper's growth still depends on ARPA-H and DoD awards, especially 2026 programs.
- A federal funding squeeze or contract loss would crater operations and hiring.
What makes Draper unique
- PREDICT96 gives Draper proprietary microphysiological drug-testing infrastructure.
- Defense credibility deepened by Brandi Vann's March 2026 strategy leadership appointment.
- Its nonprofit model funds talent pipelines through Scholars and university capstones.
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Benefits
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Options
- Wellness Program