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Chemist

Draper Labs
United States, Massachusetts, Cambridge
555 Technology Square (Show on map)
Oct 27, 2025

Overview:

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:

Draper is seeking a highly motivated and energetic chemist to join our interdisciplinary chemistry and failure analysis team. This position requires a detail-oriented person who can work closely with chemists, material scientists, physicists, and engineers in designing and testing materials and processes for a variety of high-reliability electro-mechanical and opto-electric devices. The individual must be flexible, able to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment, able to work as a leader and/or a member of teams and work independently.

The position involves applying knowledge of chemistry to perform analytical and physical chemistry and material testing to support design and failure analysis of material systems of fielded electromechanical systems. The candidate will assist senior staff in developing and performing analyses of a wide variety of materials using a variety of techniques including FTIR, Raman, UV-VIS, GC-MS, LC-MS, DSC.

The candidate will be required to analyze data and report results to peers.

The candidate will work with industrial partners and sub-contractors by serving as the point person for acceptance testing and failure analysis of high reliability materials, as well as assist in developing methods and procedures to control or modify manufacturing processes.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
* Identifies, selects, and recommends, or creates materials based on weight, strength, heat and cold tolerance, cost, durability, and other relevant requirements with guidance.
* Measures performance of various materials in accordance with specifications.
* Conducts performance testing of prototypes and products with new materials or novel combinations of materials and chemistries.
* Analyzes and addresses issues such as reliability, yield improvement, and/or failure
* Collaborates with process engineers as part of a development and fabrication team to modify or create novel materials or fabrication methods.
* Develop and maintain effective internal/external relationships.
* Independently execute design assignments under the oversight of the group leader.
* Contribute content for technical reports and presentations with appropriate guidance.
* Adapt appropriately to changes in program requirements.
* Identify challenges associated with assigned work and communicate them to group leader.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities
* Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to fully understand customers requirements.
* Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a development team.

Education
Requires a bachelors degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering. A Masters degree is preferred.

Experience
Requires 0-3 years Material or Chemical engineering experience, or other relevant engineering experience.

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

$62,500.00 - $125,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

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. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity 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, 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.

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