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:

Location

South Tampa, FL – Hybrid (3 days on‑site, 2 days remote).

About Draper

Draper’s Full‑Stack Group builds mission‑critical web applications for military, government, and commercial customers. We operate like an incubator, giving engineers space to experiment, iterate, and deliver software that protects lives and advances the national interest.

Why It Matters

As a mid-level engineer, you’ll get hands‑on experience building software that powers national‑security missions. Working under senior mentors, you’ll rapidly grow technical depth while contributing code that goes live in real customer environments.

Core Responsibilities

- Develop features and fix bugs under guidance of senior staff using React + TypeScript and a back‑end language (Node.js/Python).
- Write unit and integration tests; adopt test‑driven development practices.
- Participate in daily stand‑ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
- Review code with peers, absorb architectural guidance, and gradually own small components or services.
- Support deployment pipelines and monitor production health (logs, alerts).

Required Qualifications

- 2‑4 years professional full‑stack development (or 3+ years strong personal/project experience).
- Ability to obtain an Active Secret clearance (existing Secret clearance preferred).
- Working knowledge of JavaScript/TypeScript, React basics, and a server‑side language (Node.js, Python, or Java).
- Familiarity with Git and issue‑tracking tools (Jira, GitLab, etc.).
- BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

- Exposure to Docker containers and simple `docker‑compose` workflows.
- Experience with a cloud platform (AWS, GCP, Azure) through projects or labs.
- Understanding of RESTful APIs and basic authentication (OAuth).
- Demonstrated curiosity: open‑source contributions, hackathon projects, or a technical blog.

About You

- Insatiable appetite to learn new technologies and share knowledge.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and forging clear paths to success.
- Passionate about building products you’d proudly use yourself.
- Thrives in a team that pushes each other to excel daily.

The description below provides further information on Draper's view of its mid-level (MTS-2) staff members.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Independently execute task assignments under the some oversight of program leadership and/or senior staff.
• Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adheres to software best practices.
• Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
• Identify challenges and risks associated with assigned tasks and communicate them to project leadership.
• Drives solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to requirements development, propose unique solutions, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Provides insight and suggest adaptations or modifications to processes and/or applications based on quantitative data or results.
• Identifies project technical risks and mitigation strategies.

Skills/Abilities
• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate an ability to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• A team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.

Education
Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field. Master's degree is preferred.

Experience
3-5 years experience in Software Engineering or related field.

Additional Job Description:

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. Petersburg

Job Location - State:

Florida

Job Location - Postal Code:

33716

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$75,000.00 - $156,000.00

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 [email protected].