The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Digital Engineering Developer

Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field; Master's preferred.
  • 3-5 years in Software Engineering or a related field.
  • Basic proficiency in Python and Java for development and scripting.
  • Experience with container technologies like Docker and Podman.
  • Familiarity with version control systems, preferably Git.

Responsibilities

  • Design and maintain Python and Java services for data pipelines.
  • Develop and containerize applications with Docker and Podman.
  • Automate builds and deployments using CI/CD tools like GitLab CI or Jenkins.
  • Collaborate with systems engineers for software integration in larger architectures.
  • Provide support for data workflows and troubleshoot containerized runtime issues.
  • Produce technical documentation and communicate updates to stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Work-life balance programs including workplace flexibility.
  • Access to employee clubs, wellness workshops, and off-site events.
  • Discounts to local cultural activities and museums.
Full Job Description
Job Description Summary:
The MTS-2 Digital Engineering Developer will join the Digital Retrieval, Engineering, Architecture, and Management (DREAM) Group to design, develop, and maintain software centric infrastructure for multi domain national security programs. Working under senior engineers, the incumbent will apply basic software development knowledge to well defined problems, gain hands on experience with container technologies, and grow technical breadth through continuous learning.

Key Capability Areas

- Technical Depth & Breadth: Apply foundational software engineering concepts to well scoped tasks and using the following languages (Python or Java) and tooling (Docker, Podman, CI/CD pipelines).

- Best Practice & QMS Adherence: Follow Draper's established processes and quality standards, suggesting improvements when appropriate.

- Growth Mindset: Pursue formal and informal learning to deepen expertise in software infrastructure and cloud native patterns.

- Problem Definition & Execution: Understand task level requirements, independently solve scoped problems, and conduct basic research when needed.

- Resource Utilization: Seek help and leverage available resources; collaborate across teams.

- Process Improvement: Identify and communicate task level inefficiencies to leadership.

- Project Management & Teamwork: Execute assignments on schedule, report issues promptly, and hold self accountable as an active team member.

- Professionalism & Mentoring: Maintain a respectful work environment and receive constructive feedback positively.

Core Responsibilities

- Software Infrastructure Development
• Design, implement, and maintain Python and Java services that support data flow and analytics pipelines.
• Develop, containerize, and orchestrate applications using Docker and Podman, creating reproducible build environments.

- CI/CD & Automation
• Write scripts (Python/Bash) to automate builds, tests, and deployments into container registries and orchestration platforms.
• Contribute to continuous integration pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins) ensuring reliable delivery.

- System Integration & Support
• Collaborate with systems engineers to integrate software components into larger architectures (e.g., service oriented architecture).
• Provide support for cross domain data workflows, troubleshooting runtime issues in containerized environments.

- Process & Quality Adherence
• Follow Draper's QMS and best practice guidelines; suggest improvements when appropriate.

- Team Collaboration & Communication
• Work closely with lead engineers, cross functional teammates (systems, ML, data science), and external partners.
• Produce concise technical notes, meeting minutes, and status updates.

- Professional Development
• Attend internal training, webinars, and conferences to broaden technical skill set, especially in modern DevOps practices.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Independently execute task assignments under the some oversight of program leadership and/or senior staff.
• Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adheres to software best practices.
• Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• 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.
• Identify challenges and risks associated with assigned tasks and communicate them to project leadership.
• Drives solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to requirements development, propose unique solutions, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Provides insight and suggest adaptations or modifications to processes and/or applications based on quantitative data or results.
• Identifies project technical risks and mitigation strategies.

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

Education
Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field. Master's degree is preferred.

Experience
3-5 years experience in Software Engineering or related field.

Additional Job Description:

Technical Skills:

- Fundamental understanding of software development and infrastructure concepts.

- Basic proficiency in Python and Java for scripting and application development.

- Familiarity with container technologies (Docker, Podman) and version-control systems (Git).

- Ability to write clear documentation and communicate technical ideas to diverse audiences.

Preferred Attributes

- Interest in interdisciplinary work spanning Systems Engineering, MBSE, and Data Science.

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

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 - $156,000.00
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.

About The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Draper Laboratory is an American non-profit research and development organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts; its official name is The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. The laboratory specializes in the design, development, and deployment of advanced technology solutions to problems in national security, space exploration, health care and energy. The laboratory was founded in 1932 by Charles Stark Draper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop aeronautical instrumentation, and came to be called the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory. During this period the laboratory is best known for developing the Apollo Guidance Computer, the first silicon integrated circuit based computer. It was renamed for its founder in 1970, and separated from MIT in 1973 to become an independent, non-profit organization. The expertise of the laboratory staff includes the areas of guidance, navigation, and control technologies and systems; fault-tolerant computing; advanced algorithms and software systems; modeling and simulation; and microelectromechanical systems and multichip module technology.
Learn more about The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

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