About the role#
Draper is hiring a Systems Engineering Co-Op for the Winter 2027 term. You will join the GAD division, a cross-functional team that operates across the full system lifecycle. This is a paid, full-time, on-site position based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
What you'll do#
- Support research and development for new or existing systems, hardware, and software.
- Assist in improving quality processes across the engineering and manufacturing life cycle.
- Collaborate with engineers and technicians to build and test components.
- Perform requirements development, analysis, and traceability studies.
- Develop test plans, execute testing, and build test equipment.
- Conduct reliability and vulnerability analysis.
- Design, develop, and enhance engineering solutions.
- Implement, test, and provide documentation support.
- Generate and present test reports, including evaluation criteria and conclusions.
- Perform tool automation tasks.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment in an accredited full-time undergraduate or graduate engineering program (Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Biomedical).
- Ability to work full-time for a 6-month period.
- Strong computer skills, specifically MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- A strong work ethic with the ability to work independently or within a team.
- Ability to adapt to changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Location & details#
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Term: Winter 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time.
- Sponsorship: Not available.
About Draper
Draper is a nonprofit engineering firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company provides engineering services to government, industry, and academic partners. Its work spans domains from undersea environments to space systems. With a staff of nearly 3,000 employees, the company focuses on technical challenges in national security and health.
How to get in at Draper
Applying early is a significant advantage when pursuing a role at Draper, as recruiters often review candidates before the applicant pool grows too large. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you stay ahead of the crowd. This timing ensures your application is among the first seen by the team. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the people actually managing the hiring process. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles, allowing you to ask direct questions or request a referral. Connecting with the right person often provides the clarity you need to stand out in a competitive field.
