Principal Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfX) Engineer

About the role

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: Join Draper's multidisciplinary engineering team as a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFX) Engineer, where your expertise in device packaging techniques for conventional over-molded electronic parts, multi-chip modules, open / closed MEMs devices and sealed ceramic packages will directly contribute to the success of mission-critical systems in aerospace, defense, and beyond. In this role, you'll work closely with layout and design engineers, supply chain, and internal manufacturing teams to apply DFM/DFA best practices early in the product development cycle, ensuring a smooth transition from design to production. You'll review packaging layouts and designs for manufacturability, lead design reviews, and deliver actionable feedback that drives product integrity and performance. As a Principal Engineer, you'll engage with internal service centers and external contract manufacturers to resolve assembly, and workmanship challenges. You'll also collaborate with Mission Assurance to support quality investigations and continuous improvement initiatives. We're looking for an engineer with hands-on experience in microelectronics packaging for high-reliability or aerospace applications, someone who understands the nuances of material selection, MIL-STD-883, MIL-PRF-38534 and MIL-PRF-38535. Familiarity with AS9100 environments and a passion for cross-functional problem-solving are key to success in this role. 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. - Independently drive solutions to complex problems - develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements. - Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Product Engineering. - Provide insight and suggest design or process modifications based on quantitative data or results. - Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies. - Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers; Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals. 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.

Requirements

• 10-15 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
• 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

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