📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Growth & Capture Team Lead
🔹 Company: Draper
🔹 Location: Cambridge, MA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Defense and Space Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-7 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the pursuit of infrastructure funding for microelectronic solutions
- Enhancing the US microelectronics industrial base
- Coordinating with government agencies and managing capture programs
- Growing business within the current customer base and new customers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of government initiatives, the microelectronics ecosystem, and secure/hardened microelectronics for USG applications.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop personal credibility with sponsor organizations and program staff, and lead teams in business capture and execution activities
✅ Manage complex programs with high dollar volume or contract length
✅ Oversee program budget and schedules, ensuring alignment with Draper's Business Winning Organization and Chief Strategy Office
✅ Support Program Directors, Business Area Leads, and Senior Program Managers in developing internal products and providing recommendations for research and development
✅ Develop technical program management best practices and provide training/mentoring to project teams
✅ Monitor dependencies across multiple inter-related technical projects to adhere to methodologies, budgets, and timing
✅ Gather and report consolidated technical project status and financial information to leadership
✅ Recommends changes to improve processes and alleviate process inaccuracy and duplication
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, communication, and leadership skills to manage complex programs and coordinate with various stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, or equivalent discipline
Experience: 5-7 years of program-related experience in functional or program management
Required Skills:
- Program and project management skills
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and/or new applications
- Knowledge and proven track record of successful business interaction
- Ability to be persuasive and a strong relationship builder
- Excellent written and verbal communications, presentation, and networking skills
- Ability to travel on an as-needed basis
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications: Word, Excel, and Outlook
Preferred Skills:
- Ability to maintain high-touch, collaborative, trust-based relationships across mid-level to senior leadership positions
- Established relationships and/or organizational understanding of agencies within DoD and Intelligence communities
- Experience working within the field of secure or hardened microelectronics for USG applications
- Strong knowledge of the microelectronics ecosystem, current government initiatives, and the technologies underpinning these areas
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should have a strong background in program management, business development, and customer engagement, with a focus on the defense and space manufacturing industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for this role and experience level)
Benefits:
- Work-Life Balance
- Workplace Flexibility
- Employee Clubs
- Health and Finance Workshops
- Social Events
- Discounts
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for this role and experience level. Actual salary may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing. Draper focuses on strategic systems, space systems, defense systems, and special programs, among other areas.
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees. As a mid-sized company, Draper offers a mix of large-scale resources and a collaborative, innovative work environment.
Founded: Draper was founded in 1932 and has since grown into a leading nonprofit engineering innovation company.
Company Description:
- Draper serves national interests and security needs, advances technologies, cultivates innovators, and solves complex challenges
- Multidisciplinary teams collaborate to develop first-of-a-kind solutions for government, academia, and industry
- Draper's unbiased approach enables a focus on customers' needs and the delivery of new capabilities
Company Specialties:
- Strategic Systems
- Space Systems
- Defense Systems
- Special Programs
- Biomedical Engineering
- Energy Systems
- Human Systems Technology
- Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT)
- Autonomous Systems
- Precision Instrumentation
- Cybersecurity
- Microsystems
- Autonomy
- RF Systems
- Cyber Physical Systems
- Machine Learning
- Electromechanical Systems
- GNC
- Inertial Measurement
- Organ on a Chip
- Physical Sensing and Timing
Company Website: www.draper.com
ASSUMPTION: Draper's extensive experience and expertise in defense and space manufacturing make it an ideal employer for individuals seeking to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to national security.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior. This role offers opportunities for growth and leadership within Draper's Electronic Systems organization.
Reporting Structure: The Growth & Capture Team Lead will report to the Electronic Systems Growth and Capture organization and work closely with the Draper Corporate Strategy Office.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional travel to coordinate with government agencies and customers.
Growth Opportunities:
- Expanding business within the current customer base and new customers
- Developing expertise in government initiatives, the microelectronics ecosystem, and secure/hardened microelectronics
- Advancing to senior leadership positions within Draper's Electronic Systems organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Draper's Electronic Systems organization and the broader defense and space manufacturing industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a collaborative and innovative work environment
Office Location(s): 555 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139-3563
Geographic Context:
- Cambridge, MA, is a vibrant, diverse city with a strong focus on technology and innovation
- The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous cultural attractions, restaurants, and outdoor activities
- Draper's office is located in the heart of Cambridge, close to public transportation and amenities
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with occasional travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: Draper's Cambridge, MA, location offers a dynamic and stimulating work environment, with easy access to the city's many cultural and recreational opportunities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring team
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Program management and business development skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Understanding of government initiatives and the microelectronics ecosystem
- Alignment with Draper's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Draper's mission and the specific requirements of this position
- Prepare examples of your program management and business development successes
ATS Keywords: Program Management, Business Development, Government Initiatives, Microelectronics, Secure Microelectronics, Capture Program, Team Leadership, Customer Engagement
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should emphasize their program management and business development skills, as well as their understanding of government initiatives and the microelectronics ecosystem, in their application materials.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira)
- Customer relationship management software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Government contracting and compliance software (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, Deltek GovWin)
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should have experience with relevant project management, customer relationship management, and government contracting software tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Stewardship
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Innovative and creative
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Draper's core values?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully led a team through a complex program or business capture effort?
- How do you approach continuous learning and improvement in your professional development?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Draper's values and work style, and be prepared to provide specific examples of their skills and experiences in the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing complex programs with high dollar volume or contract length
- Navigating government agencies and regulations
- Balancing business development and program execution responsibilities
- Occasional travel requirements
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to manage complex programs and balance multiple responsibilities.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique within Draper, focusing on the pursuit of infrastructure funding for microelectronic solutions and enhancing the US microelectronics industrial base
- Similar roles in other organizations may include Business Development Manager, Capture Manager, or Program Manager, with a focus on defense and space manufacturing
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to senior leadership positions within Draper's Electronic Systems organization or related roles in other defense and space manufacturing companies
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles in other organizations and consider their career goals when evaluating this opportunity.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a successful capture program for a major government contract, resulting in a multi-million dollar award
- Developing and executing a strategic plan to grow business within an existing customer base, increasing revenue by 30% over two years
- Managing a complex program with a high dollar volume contract, ensuring contractual deliverables were completed on schedule and within the approved budget
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should provide specific examples of their program management, business development, and customer engagement successes in their application materials.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current priorities and goals for the Electronic Systems organization?
- How does this role fit into the broader strategy of the Electronic Systems organization and Draper as a whole?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Draper support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the work-life balance like for this role, and how does Draper support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful, informed questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and understanding of Draper's mission and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your program management and business development successes
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
