Group Leader, APF Process Engineering

Company: Draper Labs
Location: Saint Petersburg
Posted on: May 16, 2025

Job Description:

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:Group Leaders are the first layer of Line Management in APF Operations at Draper. Their main responsibility is the care and development of their direct reports to ensure Draper has the workforce it needs to meet its customer needs both now and in the future. The process engineer group leader is the personnel leader of the process engineers at the APF. The PE-GL will be responsible for ensuring adequate staffing levels amongst efforts, career planning & growth, ensuring proper charging through timesheet approval, and readiness of the PE staff (i.e. productivity and compliance to process/workmanship criteria).

The APF Process Engineering GL ensures manufacturing processes are robust, efficient, and ready for production. From driving continuous improvement and managing risk to qualifying new equipment and refining process documentation, this team plays a critical role in optimizing yield, enhancing quality, and supporting the introduction of new programs across our production lines. Though this role is not for technical ownership of the APF technologies, the process engineering group leader is expected to have a deep process knowledge and be able to lead development, continuous improvement, and 'line-down' triage teams where appropriate and provide suitable technical guidance to the process engineering team. The PE group leader ensures quality work product of the process engineering team in both internal and external written/verbal communications. Additionally, the PE-GL is responsible for ensuring maximum "up time" of work cells and full compliance to statistical process control methodologies at the site. PE-GL will provide input to the Operations Manager related to needed improvements or staffing needs, capability growth opportunities, risk identification and mitigation planning and ultimately the yield (final and first pass (i.e. rework rate)) of the work cells.

The process engineering group leader will also be responsible for the process engineering staff training and workmanship compliance while ensuring adequate staffing to meet the capacity requirements of the site, as directed by the Operations Manager and Product Integration Group Leader.

Join a team that turns innovation into execution.Job Description:Duties/Responsibilities* Manage administrative details and career development for group members.* Convey relevant information from management to group members.* Lead, mentor, build depth their area of expertise. and conduct performance evaluations of group members.* Maintain awareness of staffing requirements, write job requisitions (responsibilities and required qualifications) for hiring as required, review and disposition incoming resumes, conduct interviews.* Serve as Lead Subject Matter Expert for Area of specialty.* Shape Draper's technology offerings and open new business areas based on program and technical experience.* Analyze Draper strategy and work with management to build capability in key areas that align Draper's capabilities with customer's strategic priorities.Skills/Abilities* Excellent communication and written skills.* Excellent ability with presenting technical material to various levels of the engineering organization and customers.* Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications.* Strong ability to supervise a team of 10-20.EducationRequires a degree in Engineering or related discipline.Experience5-7 years of experience in the engineering; design, development, and management of complex systems.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:St. PetersburgJob Location - State:FloridaJob Location - Postal Code:33716Our 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 .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 .

Keywords: Draper Labs, Lakeland , Group Leader, APF Process Engineering, Engineering , Saint Petersburg, Florida