Innovation Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Draper’s ability to deliver high-performing, reliable solutions stems from our systems approach, interdisciplinary teams and state-of-the-art facilities. Because Draper is a not-for-profit, our staff members are free to pursue the best solution for customers without the biases of a profit motive. We work knowing that our contributions to mission-critical technology can be vital to an end user’s success, whether aboard a Navy submarine or the International Space Station.
We draw our teams from more than 1,800 employees, including more than 1,200 engineers and scientists. Our technical teams are multidisciplinary, and many staff work with different teams on more than one project at once.
We believe collaboration among people with varied expertise and experience leads to new ideas and fresh thinking that generates innovation.
Draper’s work is challenging, meaningful and exciting, and our staff are passionate about making an impact. On an individual level, engineers can enjoy turning their ideas into technology, from prototyping to development to use in the field.
Most employees work at our headquarters in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, while a number work in offices near customers, such as USSOCOM and NASA. We work collaboratively with external organizations, including government agencies, commercial customers and not-for-profit and academic partners.
Celebrating Employee Achievements
Draper recognizes staff who go beyond expectations and make a positive impact on Draper. This happens throughout the year, but Draper celebrates an annual program of formal awards. These honor accomplishments in technical work, including project engineering, technical publications and patents; project leadership; mentoring colleagues or students and exceptional customer service.
Internal Research and Development (IRaD) Opportunities
Employees are encouraged to conceptualize new technologies and approaches to industry challenges and to propose them to the company for research funding. All proposals are evaluated annually by committee and ones identified as potentially having high impact for Draper and its customers receive multiyear funding. These projects are rich opportunities for their teams to learn and grow.
Supporting Employees with Continuing Education
Employees receive tuition assistance for degree-producing programs that develop their career skills. Other professional development opportunities also are available.
Collaborative Lab and Office Facilities
Draper's Cambridge headquarters is being transformed into open-floor plan workspaces in support of our team work style. Draper’s Atrium opened in September 2017, and includes a coffee shop, cafeteria and both formal and informal working space. Draper upgrades it laboratory facilities on a cycle to keep them state-of-the-art to support advanced technology development.