Principal Hardware Instrument Engineer

Draper - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Principal

Hybrid - Cambridge, MA

1,001-5,000 employees

Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Principal Hardware Instrument Engineer at Draper is responsible for applying scientific analysis and experimental methods to design, develop, and evolve sensor instrument technology. This role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of instruments from concept through manufacturing, focusing on precision instruments such as Electro-mechanical, Electro-Optical, and MEMS sensor systems. The engineer will lead development teams, assess customer needs, and ensure the integration of precision instruments into larger systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert in precision instruments development across multiple technical disciplines.
• Assess customer needs and evaluate candidate precision instrument solutions to complex problems.
• Lead precision instruments development teams, providing technical and management oversight.
• Identify precision instrument risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Analyze precision instruments requirements and develop appropriate technology architectures.
• Design experiments and experimental hardware to validate design concepts.
• Collaborate with engineers to design and develop precision instrument prototypes and production hardware.
• Integrate precision instruments into larger systems, ensuring performance metrics are met.
• Develop initial processes for the fabrication of custom-designed instruments.
• Draft and present formal technical documents, reports, and testing results.
• Provide training related to devices to employees, sub-contractors, and/or customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Applied Physics, Electrical, or Computer Engineering required; Master's or PhD preferred.
• 10-15 years of experience in Hardware Instrument Engineering or related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of the design, development, and application of a wide variety of instruments.
• Knowledge of processes used in the fabrication of precision instrument hardware.
• Thorough understanding of applied math and physics.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with general modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, CAD software, FEA software, and other relevant design & analysis tools.

Benefits

• Workplace flexibility
• Employee clubs (e.g., photography, yoga)
• Health and finance workshops
• Off-site social events
• Discounts to local museums and cultural activities