The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory is a leading non-profit research group that creates essential technologies for space exploration, national security, and commercial spaceflight.
You’ll find Draper in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over the years, Draper has had a huge impact on space travel, especially with its guidance systems and navigation technologies that drive today’s commercial space missions.
Draper Laboratory aims to develop advanced technology for space, defense, healthcare, and energy.
Their main focus? Guidance, navigation, and control systems—the backbone of modern spacecraft.
Space tourism companies count on Draper’s innovations for safe civilian flights. Draper’s inertial navigation systems keep spacecraft on track during launches and orbital maneuvers.
These technologies guide commercial vehicles from launch pads like Cape Canaveral all the way to their destinations.
Draper’s engineers are always working on hardware-assisted defense systems and modular navigation platforms that boost spacecraft safety.
They also create biothreat detection systems and data analytics tools, which help with planning commercial space missions.
Since 1973, Draper has operated as an independent non-profit, after parting ways with MIT.
This setup lets Draper focus on long-term research without worrying about quarterly earnings like most aerospace companies.
The lab works with both government agencies and private space firms to open up civilian space access.
Draper’s approach allows them to share vital safety tech across the industry.
Space tourism benefits a lot from this. Multiple spacecraft manufacturers can use Draper’s navigation and guidance systems.
Companies building vehicles for civilian space travel get access to decades of Draper’s research and proven technologies.
Draper’s main headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where all their research and development for space systems happens.
The Cambridge facility includes specialized labs for testing navigation equipment and guidance systems designed for commercial spacecraft.
Being close to MIT means Draper can tap into top engineering talent and build strong academic partnerships.
This location supports ongoing research for new space technologies that could make civilian space travel safer and more accessible.
Draper’s facilities feature clean rooms for building sensitive electronics and testing chambers that mimic space conditions.
These resources let Draper validate their technologies before sending them up on commercial missions with civilian passengers.
Draper Laboratory started as a small MIT research unit and grew into America’s top independent aerospace research organization.
Since its 1932 founding, Draper has built crucial navigation systems for military and space exploration.
Charles Stark Draper launched the Confidential Instrument Development Laboratory at MIT in 1932.
This tiny group worked on precise instruments for aircraft navigation and tracking.
MIT supported the lab during its early years. Draper and his team tackled big challenges in aeronautical instrumentation.
Their work met the growing demand for reliable navigation as aviation advanced.
Early research priorities included:
Walter Wrigley, one of Draper’s first students, documented the lab’s inertial navigation experiments in his 1940 thesis.
Those early efforts set the stage for technologies that would eventually guide spacecraft to the moon.
As the lab’s projects grew, it became known as the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory.
Draper’s most famous achievement? The Apollo Guidance Computer.
This system gave astronauts the navigation and control they needed to reach the moon and return home.
During World War II, the team created the Mark 14 gunsight system. This boosted aircraft weapons accuracy and built Draper’s reputation for practical military solutions.
Key technological achievements included:
Draper’s work earned the lab a spot as the birthplace of modern inertial navigation.
People even called Draper “Mr. Gyro” for his groundbreaking work with gyroscopic navigation.
MIT eventually renamed the lab The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory to honor its founder.
The lab stayed part of MIT while expanding its research capabilities.
In the early 1970s, MIT President Howard Johnson decided to separate Draper Laboratory from the university.
This move matched changing views on universities’ roles in defense research.
On July 1, 1973, Draper Laboratory officially became independent.
The lab transformed into a not-for-profit R&D corporation but kept its Cambridge headquarters.
The team kept working on national security, space exploration, and advanced tech development.
Staff continued their work on guidance systems and precision instruments without missing a beat.
Going independent let Draper expand its clients beyond just government contracts.
The lab started working directly with commercial aerospace companies and international partners.
This change preserved Draper’s technical expertise and gave it more flexibility.
These days, The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. still pushes navigation and guidance technologies that began at MIT.
Draper Laboratory relies on strong leadership that blends decades of aerospace experience with a forward-looking vision for advanced engineering.
Jerry Wohletz, the current President and CEO, brings a ton of industry know-how to steer Draper’s strategy and tech development.
Dr. Jerry M. Wohletz leads Draper Laboratory as President and Chief Executive Officer.
He joined Draper in 2022, after working as a senior executive at BAE Systems, Inc.
Wohletz has a strong background in aerospace and defense leadership.
He’s held top roles in several companies and earned advanced degrees from MIT.
Since taking the helm, Wohletz has launched “Draper NXT,” a plan to help the lab grow over the next decade.
This strategy focuses on expanding Draper’s capabilities and exploring new uses for their core tech.
In his first year, Draper brought in $658 million in revenue. Most of it came from government agencies and defense contracts.
Wohletz wants to diversify Draper’s clients and break into new markets.
Draper’s executive team features 35 main leaders who oversee different areas.
The leadership group spans North America, Europe, and Asia.
Senior technical and operational executives fill key roles.
Marjorie Quant and Jennifer Santos are among the top executives, each managing different divisions.
Draper uses a technical ladder system, with Draper Laboratory Fellows as the highest technical rank.
Jeffrey Borenstein, a Draper Laboratory Fellow, directs the Biomedical Engineering Center.
He leads programs on organ models, drug discovery systems, and medical device development.
Draper employees rate the executive team in the top 50% of similar-sized companies with 1,001-5,000 employees.
The leadership group gets a “C+” on employee satisfaction surveys—so, not perfect, but not terrible either.
Former CEO James D. Shields led Draper for 13 years before Wohletz.
During his time, Shields expanded Draper into biomedical engineering, energy, and commercial markets.
He also broadened the sponsor base beyond just defense contracts.
The current leadership likes to focus on innovation and tech advancement.
They push for new capabilities that solve tough engineering challenges across industries.
This mindset helps Draper keep its spot as a top research and development organization.
Draper Laboratory teams up with the Department of Defense to build advanced missile guidance systems and strategic deterrence tech.
They design precision navigation for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and develop guidance for intercontinental ballistic missile programs.
Draper Laboratory acts as the main contractor for submarine-launched ballistic missile guidance systems.
Every U.S. Navy SLBM carries inertial guidance subsystems that Draper engineers have designed since the 1950s.
Recently, Draper secured a $308 million contract for the Navy’s hypersonic missile program.
This deal expands Draper’s role in developing next-generation weapons for naval forces.
Key Navy Programs:
The Navy partnership is all about keeping America’s sea-based nuclear deterrent strong.
Draper engineers create precision sensors and cyber-resilient designs for tough maritime environments.
Draper helps Army missile defense programs with advanced guidance and navigation technologies.
The lab supports ground-based interceptor systems and tactical missile projects.
Draper’s technical experts develop guidance solutions that meet military needs for battlefield conditions.
Army collaboration covers missile defense radar integration and target tracking systems.
Draper’s work supports both defensive and offensive Army capabilities through precision guidance tech.
Draper led the way on inertial guidance systems for ICBMs during the Cold War.
The lab improved ICBM accuracy for the Minuteman II and III missiles.
Major ICBM Programs:
Draper runs facilities at Hill Air Force Base to support the Sentinel program.
This new campus puts engineering talent closer to Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center operations.
Draper also develops radiation-hardened electronics that can handle space environments.
Their guidance systems keep working during nuclear scenarios and electromagnetic interference.
Draper Laboratory uses the latest digital engineering methods to build precise spacecraft components and advanced software.
They blend model-based systems engineering with microelectromechanical systems and artificial intelligence tools.
Draper engineers rely on model-based systems engineering and simulation to design complex aerospace systems.
This digital-first mindset lets them test and tweak spacecraft parts before making anything physical.
Their digital engineering covers the whole development process.
Engineers use advanced simulation tools to model how spacecraft will act in different space environments.
These digital twins help predict real mission performance.
Digital engineering also helps design high-assurance microelectronic systems.
Engineers can simulate how circuits perform under extreme space conditions.
This process lowers development costs and boosts reliability.
Draper combines digital engineering with hands-on hardware development.
This way, digital models match up with physical systems.
Engineers test their digital predictions through tough testing programs.
Draper creates precise microelectromechanical systems for spacecraft navigation and guidance.
These tiny devices include accelerometers, gyroscopes, and internal measurement units that help spacecraft stay properly oriented.
Accelerometers track changes in velocity and acceleration.
Spacecraft use these for figuring out their position and movement.
Draper’s accelerometers offer the accuracy needed for tight orbital maneuvers.
Gyroscopes sense rotational movement around multiple axes.
These keep spacecraft stable during flight.
Modern gyroscopes use advanced materials and manufacturing for top-notch precision.
Draper also makes atomic clocks for navigation.
These clocks give spacecraft extremely accurate time references for position calculations.
Atomic clocks make precise navigation possible across the vastness of space.
Draper uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to tackle tough aerospace problems.
These technologies let spacecraft make autonomous decisions during missions, especially when they can’t talk to Earth in real time.
Machine learning algorithms sift through sensor data, picking out patterns and spotting anomalies. Spacecraft systems then take that information and tweak their own behavior on the fly.
This is pretty crucial for missions out to distant planets, where communication lags make real-time control a nonstarter.
Draper’s team builds algorithms that can handle sparse or incomplete data sets. Space missions often bring back only scraps of information—harsh environments and limited equipment just make it that way.
Even with partial info, these advanced algorithms still manage to make solid decisions.
Software development at Draper covers the full technology stack, from user interfaces right down to enterprise systems.
Their software teams bring in specialists for mobile apps, web development, and DevOps. This all-in approach helps ground control systems mesh smoothly with spacecraft operations.
Draper Laboratory has shaped America’s space program, especially with its inertial navigation systems that steered Apollo missions to the Moon.
Today, the lab still creates critical guidance tech for NASA and commercial aerospace partners.
Charles Stark Draper designed the inertial navigation system that became the backbone of the Apollo program. His work got astronauts to the Moon and back in 1969.
The Apollo Guidance Computer was a leap in miniaturized computing. Draper’s crew built a system that could navigate space without needing outside signals.
Key Apollo contributions included:
Draper’s systems ran every critical phase of the Apollo missions. The tech calculated trajectories, managed fuel, and pulled off course corrections mid-flight.
Modern spacecraft still use ideas Draper’s team pioneered. Their inertial measurement units provide navigation data for today’s space missions.
Draper Laboratory keeps up active partnerships with NASA on several space exploration programs. The group builds guidance systems for both robotic and crewed missions.
Right now, NASA uses Draper’s navigation tech for Mars rovers and deep space missions. These systems help spacecraft find their way millions of miles from Earth.
Draper also supports NASA’s Artemis program with advanced guidance systems. These will help astronauts get back to the Moon and actually stay a while.
Active NASA collaborations:
Draper’s engineers work side by side with NASA teams at different centers. This close partnership makes sure guidance systems fit right into spacecraft designs.
Draper Laboratory works with military and commercial aerospace clients. They build navigation systems for aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles.
They also team up with private space companies, offering guidance tech for satellite launches and commercial crew missions.
Draper’s Florida facility zeroes in on space-related testing and development. This 36,000 square foot space supports their growing aerospace partnerships in the region.
Current aerospace focus areas:
Their expertise stretches from classic aircraft to the latest space planes. Draper adapts its core navigation tech for all kinds of aerospace needs.
Draper Laboratory runs advanced testing facilities at several strategic locations.
They’ve expanded at Cape Canaveral to support national defense missions.
Their infrastructure investments target guidance and navigation testing for both military and space exploration.
Draper Laboratory has worked in Florida for over 60 years, becoming a fixture in the region’s aerospace scene.
They picked the Space Coast for their latest big facility, taking advantage of nearby Navy test sites and Cape Canaveral’s top-notch infrastructure.
The Florida site gives them direct access to launch operations and test environments that mimic real mission conditions.
This location lets Draper run integrated tests with partners across the space industry.
Space Florida has acknowledged Draper’s commitment, highlighting the value of advanced testing right next to launch facilities.
This setup creates real synergy between ground testing and actual flight.
The Strategic Enhanced Ground Test Facility (SEGTF) in Titusville is a $50 million investment covering 37,000 square feet.
They started building in August 2023 and aim to finish by summer 2026.
At first, the facility will host 50 Draper employees, with plans to grow past 150 as things ramp up. That means more local jobs in specialized aerospace roles.
Key facility features include:
The SEGTF acts as Draper’s own facility, giving them full control over sensitive testing.
North American Properties teamed up with Draper for the Riverfront Center site.
The facility’s highlight is a world-class centrifuge system that simulates the crazy forces missiles go through during flight.
This lets Draper run “test-as-you-fly” checks on guidance parts before they ever launch.
Their testing setup supports development of inertial measurement units, accelerometers, and gyroscopes for strategic weapons.
The facility can mimic the harsh environments components face in real missions.
Core testing capabilities:
This enhanced testing cuts down on expensive full-scale missile tests while keeping standards tight.
Their capabilities support both current strategic deterrent systems and the next-gen nuclear triad modernization.
Draper Laboratory builds strategic partnerships with top universities across the U.S., driving innovation through collaborative research.
Their Draper Scholar Program connects grad students with aerospace research, and strong ties with MIT and Boston-area schools open doors for academic excellence in space tech.
The Draper Scholar Program brings in about 40 new master’s and PhD students each year from partner universities.
Students work at Draper’s Cambridge campus, diving into 14 key research areas that match the lab’s mission.
Partner Universities Include:
The program has grown to over 100 grad students in total.
Students get to experience both their university’s research environment and Draper’s specialized facilities.
They tap into Draper’s collective aerospace know-how. The program focuses on helping students make a real impact in their research.
Recently, the University of Utah joined as a new partner. Draper’s expansion beyond Cambridge is definitely picking up steam.
Draper holds its tightest academic partnership with MIT, built over decades of working together.
MIT students get direct access to applied research in guidance, navigation, and control systems.
This partnership lets MIT faculty and students tackle real-world aerospace problems. Joint projects often zero in on spacecraft navigation and autonomous vehicles.
MIT students in Draper programs gain hands-on experience with flight-ready hardware. That kind of practical work really rounds out their academic studies.
Faculty research partnerships keep the collaboration strong. These relationships help bridge the gap between classroom research and industry needs.
Draper partners with Boston-area universities to boost regional aerospace research.
Northeastern University takes part in the Scholar Program, giving students a shot at advanced space tech projects.
Tufts University also sends students to Draper’s research efforts. These partnerships build a pipeline of skilled aerospace engineers in Boston.
Draper recently added UMass Lowell to its university partners. Their Electronic Systems division plans to set up a new lab in UMass Lowell’s LINC space.
These local partnerships mean mentorships, prototype testing, and customer collaboration. Students get to work on real aerospace solutions.
The model lets universities give students real-time feedback on the skills that matter in today’s fast-moving aerospace world.
Draper Laboratory acts as a bridge between government and private industry, thanks to its nonprofit status and technical chops.
They keep active contracts with defense agencies and help run joint ventures that push national security goals forward.
Draper Laboratory serves as a main contractor for several Department of Defense projects across all service branches.
They just started building a 30,000 square foot facility at Hill Air Force Base in Utah for the Sentinel missile program.
The U.S. Navy depends on Draper’s guidance systems for submarine navigation. These contracts go from prototypes all the way to full production.
Key Defense Contract Areas:
The U.S. Army works with Draper on soldier-portable systems and battlefield communications.
These projects mix commercial innovation with military-level reliability.
Draper’s DraperSPARX program links small businesses and startups with DoD needs.
They look for companies with new technologies that solve federal challenges, moving quickly from prototype to deployment.
Draper gives advice to federal agencies beyond defense. They support FDA efforts to cut animal testing with advanced biomedical platforms.
NASA teams up with Draper on missions that need precision guidance and control systems.
The organization also consults for the National Institutes of Health on biomedical research. Draper brings together engineering and life sciences for these projects.
Federal Agency Partnerships:
Draper joins industry consortia that blend government funding with private innovation.
Their nonprofit status helps them collaborate fairly with competing commercial players.
They also work with top universities and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, opening up tech transfer opportunities for both government and industry.
Draper’s partnership with biotech companies like Kite shows their move into commercial markets.
These ventures use defense-developed technologies for civilian needs.
Contract Research Organizations link up with Draper to tap into specialized facilities and expertise.
This setup lets smaller companies chase government contracts without breaking the bank.
Draper Laboratory focuses its expertise on three main technical areas that push innovation in space exploration and defense.
Their work in guidance systems, computing reliability, and advanced modeling forms the backbone of critical aerospace missions.
Draper Laboratory really broke ground with inertial navigation tech, and they’re still one of the top players in guidance systems. Their engineers build navigation solutions for places where GPS just doesn’t work or can’t be trusted.
They’ve powered lunar missions, and their guidance systems still keep today’s spacecraft on track. This tech lets both crewed and uncrewed vehicles stay on the right path and hit their marks.
Draper engineers design control algorithms that keep vehicles stable during tricky maneuvers. These systems have to work perfectly, whether they’re in the vacuum of space or somewhere with intense radiation.
Draper also brings their navigation know-how to autonomous systems that make decisions on their own, no ground control needed. For deep space missions, where talking to Earth takes too long, this is pretty much a must.
Space computers have to handle some wild challenges, so reliability can’t be an afterthought. Draper Laboratory builds computing systems that keep running, even if some parts break.
They design fault-tolerant hardware with backup processors ready to jump in when something fails. That way, if a component goes down millions of miles from home, the mission can keep moving.
Draper’s software teams write code that behaves reliably, no matter what space throws at it. They test everything rigorously, simulating the harshest conditions they can imagine.
Their systems spot and isolate faulty parts automatically. This self-checking stops small problems from turning into disasters.
With advanced simulation tools, Draper tests complex systems before anyone builds expensive hardware. Their models predict how spacecraft will act in real flight.
They use microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to make tiny sensors and actuators. These little devices give precise readings, use almost no power, and barely take up space.
Engineers run complete mission simulations, from launch to landing, in virtual testbeds. This lets them spot issues early and tweak designs for better performance.
Draper also models how materials and electronics age on long missions. With this info, designers can pick components that will last for years out there.
Draper Laboratory sparks real change by teaming up with universities and backing educational programs that get the next generation ready for aerospace and defense careers. They build lasting ties in the community through research and workforce development, helping boost America’s tech strength.
Draper partners with top universities to create specialized training for engineers and scientists. They’ve got over 2,000 employees working at 12 locations across the country.
Their collaboration with UMass Lowell shows they’re serious about growing technical talent. Through the LINC partnership, Draper plans to open new labs focused on microelectronics research for national security.
Students get hands-on experience with advanced tech through internships, co-ops, and mentoring that connects them with folks in the industry.
UMass Lowell stats at Draper:
The Draper Scholars Program gives major financial help to grad students in engineering and tech. Each scholarship can cover up to $100,000 per year, including tuition.
Students can get two years of funding for a master’s and up to five for a doctorate. Draper plans to award up to 10 scholarships each year for the next decade to UMass Lowell students.
Grad students tackle tough research challenges. Paul Johnson, for example, is working on microelectronics for space and radiation transport.
These programs aren’t just about money—they also offer research opportunities. Students use Draper’s advanced labs and work side by side with experienced engineers on all kinds of projects.
Draper’s growth in new markets brings big economic benefits to local communities. Their role in the LINC project will add over a million square feet of lab and office space to UMass Lowell.
This public-private effort involves more than $800 million and will create thousands of jobs over the next ten years. The site will include housing, shops, and entertainment, giving the whole area a boost.
Draper keeps close ties with local schools by offering adjunct teaching and guest lectures. Jim Moran, one of their engineers, has taught at UMass Lowell’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department for nearly four decades.
They also help the FDA push for less animal testing by developing advanced tech solutions. Draper joins workgroups and consortia to create new testing methods for medical research.
Draper Laboratory is gearing up for major growth, pouring resources into campus expansions and new microelectronics capabilities. They’re building in several states, especially Massachusetts, Florida, and Utah, to support both government and commercial space contracts.
Draper is betting big on secure microelectronics for defense and space. They’re tailoring microelectronic systems to meet the rising demand for specialized components in national security.
Their Microelectronics Division is growing faster than any other part of the company. They’re developing advanced chips for military and space uses that need top-notch security features.
Space tech keeps pushing Draper forward. Their work on guidance systems for NASA and commercial spacecraft puts them right at the heart of the space economy.
The Electronic Systems division is opening new labs for prototype testing and development. These spaces will help customers turn ideas into real-world solutions.
The UMass Lowell Innovation Network Corridor is Draper’s biggest expansion yet. They’re moving 50 people from Cambridge to temporary space at Wannalancit Mills before settling into a permanent building.
Governor Maura Healey’s team has put tens of millions behind the Lowell project. Eventually, the expansion will bring hundreds of jobs focused on microelectronics for government contracts.
Colleen Anderson, who leads Tailored Microelectronic Systems, is running the UMass Lowell campus build-out. The new site will house the Electronic Systems division and tap into university talent for hiring.
Draper is also growing in Titusville, Florida, with a Strategic Enhanced Ground Test Facility. They’re adding another floor of office and lab space near U.S.1 and State Road 405.
At Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Draper just broke ground on a new building to support Sentinel missile programs.
Draper wants to be the top contractor for secure microelectronics and space systems. They pulled in $658 million in revenue (mostly from government work) and are looking to broaden their customer base.
CEO Jerry Wohletz rolled out “Draper NXT” as the company’s roadmap for the next decade. The plan leans into university partnerships and more private sector work, not just government contracts.
The Lowell expansion aims right at the growing commercial space market. Draper picked the location for its skilled workforce and easier commutes compared to Cambridge.
With a multi-state footprint, Draper can handle a variety of missions. The Florida facility supports Navy missile testing, Utah covers Air Force programs, and Massachusetts takes on advanced R&D.
Their strategy includes working with GMH Communities and Wexford Science & Technology to build out the LINC project. The plan is to create 2,000 permanent jobs over ten years, including high-tech roles for both government and commercial space work.
Draper Laboratory tackles advanced tech for national security, space, health, and energy. They run research facilities across the country and keep close ties with both government and commercial space players.
Draper works in seven main technical areas across defense, space, and commercial sectors. They build guidance, navigation, and control systems for strategic weapons—think submarine-launched missiles and precision munitions.
Space systems are a huge part of their portfolio. Draper designs navigation tech for NASA missions and creates high-performance science instruments for planetary exploration. Lately, they’ve worked on lunar landers through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services.
They also make biomedical systems using MEMS technology—tiny medical devices and microfluidic tools for healthcare. In energy, Draper handles reliability and performance systems for power plants.
Their tactical systems range from maritime intelligence to miniaturized munitions guidance and soldier support. Draper builds secure electronics and communications for military use, plus air warfare and intelligence tools for targeting and recon.
Draper has deep roots with the US Department of Defense, going back to World War II when they were MIT’s Confidential Instrument Development Lab.
They develop guidance for submarine-launched missiles and navigation tech that keeps subs hidden for long stretches. This work is crucial for US nuclear deterrence.
Draper also creates precision-guided munitions and missile defense systems for tactical military needs. Defense contractors count on their guidance tech for artillery shells that survive massive forces. They also design early intercept systems for missile defense.
Back in 1973, Draper split from MIT, partly due to anti-war protests during Vietnam. Still, defense work is a core part of what they do. After the Cold War, they had to cut staff when defense budgets shrank, but the sector remains central.
Draper built the Apollo Guidance Computer that steered astronauts to the Moon and back. That achievement made them NASA’s go-to for guidance, navigation, and control.
These days, Draper develops autonomous navigation systems for deep space. Their engineers created fuel-saving maneuvers for the International Space Station—saving up to 94 percent compared to older methods. They factor in thruster positions, gravity, and gyroscopic effects.
Commercial lunar missions are a growing focus. Since 2018, NASA has picked Draper as a Commercial Lunar Payload Services contractor, so they’re eligible to deliver science payloads to the Moon. Draper has proposed the Artemis-7 lunar lander, based on ispace’s designs.
They also develop spacesuits and gear for astronaut safety and performance. Projects include Variable Vector Countermeasure suits that use gyroscopes to help astronauts keep muscle tone, and enhanced suits that make tool use in zero-g a bit less of a struggle.
Draper Laboratory employs about 2,000 people at several locations across the United States. Since it operates as an independent non-profit, the work environment feels a bit different from what you’d find at typical defense contractors or commercial companies.
Employees have given Draper a 4.7-star rating based on 73 reviews. That’s a solid mark, and it seems like most folks are pretty happy with the atmosphere, projects, and management.
Engineers and researchers find themselves drawn in by Draper’s focus on cutting-edge technology. Career paths cover seven technical areas, like guidance systems, space tech, biomedical engineering, and energy solutions.
Draper looks for people with backgrounds in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and other technical fields. Research roles often dive into autonomous systems, AI, or miniaturized device design.
You’ll find positions open in Cambridge, Houston, Huntsville, and a handful of other places near big aerospace hubs. That spread gives employees some flexibility if they want to focus on different aspects of space or defense tech.
Dr. Jerry M. Wohletz took over as President and CEO of Draper Laboratory in 2022. This leadership change happened as part of normal succession planning—not because of a crisis or dramatic shift.
Wohletz brings experience that fits well with Draper’s growing work in commercial space and emerging tech. The lab’s leadership structure keeps long-term strategy in mind, which makes sense given how slowly aerospace and defense projects can move.
Leaders at Draper need to balance technical know-how with the complicated regulatory environment around national security. Since Draper runs as an independent non-profit, board governance handles leadership changes. That setup lets leaders keep their eyes on the mission instead of worrying about outside investors or short-term profits.
Draper Laboratory runs its headquarters out of a 450,000-square-foot building at 555 Technology Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed this main building, which first opened its doors in 1976. Later on, they renamed it the Robert A. Duffy Building.
The Cambridge campus also features the Albert G. Hill Building. This structure adds another 170,000 square feet of research space and connects to the main facility through a secure pedestrian bridge.
Inside the headquarters complex, there’s a 20,000-square-foot enclosed atrium. This space handles security screening, reception, and provides various employee facilities.
Draper supports its missions with regional facilities scattered across the U.S. In Houston, you’ll find offices at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, plus other sites dedicated to space research and development.
In Huntsville, Draper teams up with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. They focus on launch vehicle and propulsion projects there.
Other facilities operate in Reston, Virginia; Odon, Indiana; and St. Petersburg, Florida. These locations handle rapid prototyping and specialized testing.
For military support, Draper maintains a presence at the Washington Navy Yard. They also work out of Cape Canaveral for Trident missile projects, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts for Navy integrated repair services.
