Mechanical Engineering and System Packaging Co-op

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 1,800 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.

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. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.   We understand the value of diversity and its impact on a high-performance culture.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.   

Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.

Responsibilities 

Draper is seeking a mechanical engineering Co-Op Student to help design, develop, and analyze novel solutions to problems of national interest.

As a student in the Mechanical Engineering Division, you will be exposed to a broad range of technical challenges where you can apply your knowledge as well as learn new skills while seeing how problems of national interest are solved.  Your experience can range from applying engineering principals while designing and analyzing components, to working directly with engineers and technicians to fabricate and assemble systems.  

While working under the guidance of engineers, you can create detailed designs using 3-D CAD software (specifically SolidWorks and/or PTC Creo) or analyzing performance of systems by conducting simulations using finite element software (such as Ansys).  While working on tasks, you will gain a better understanding of how to design with consideration for manufacturability, proper drawing creation and tolerancing and/or analysis for structural and thermal performance.  When parts need to be fabricated, you will have the opportunity to work with highly skilled operators in Draper’s extensive machine shop, rapid prototyping lab featuring multiple 3D printers or circuit card assembly facility. You will also have the opportunity to interact with other facilities such as materials characterization or metrology.

Assignments are designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines.  Assignments will also provide an opportunity to develop valuable networking connections which will help prepare and develop your skills for future career opportunities.  Actual project tasks will depend on immediate program priorities.  

Required Qualifications:   

Co-op students must be US citizens who are enrolled in an accredited engineering curriculum and able to work full-time for a 6 month period.

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with 3D CAD, specifically SolidWorks or Creo

Familiarity with fabrication and assembly of prototypes and proof-of-concept models

Familiarity with considerations for manufacturability, proper drawing creation, and tolerancing

Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance