Solving challenging engineering problems of national importance. - Associate Director Draper Employee Review

4.0
Aug 6, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Exposure to a broad set of technologies. Tight collaboration with innovative academics. Cambridge is a great place to work, if you can get there. Not-for-profit status alleviates much of the financial pressure you might feel at a for profit (esp public) entity.

Cons

Commute can be brutal. New senior management is steering the ship in new directions - which can greatly upset the 75% of the staff who have devoted their careers to the more traditional Draper work. (Not saying the new directions aren't the right thing to do, just saying that a lot of good people feel seriously disenfranchised.). Not a lot of turnover at the mid-management levels, so it can take a long time to rise through the organization. Not a lot of corporate growth over the last two decades - so there aren't many new management opportunities created.

Explore other reviews about Draper

5.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great culture and brilliant colleagues. Strong and relevant mission. Interesting, challenging, and diverse work. Managers are supportive and inclusive.

Cons

Company wide communication could improve at times.

4.0
Apr 17, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Dynamic work environment with many opportunities to get experience in a variety of fields. Management is accommodating and respectful of employee time.

Cons

While Draper works on a wide variety of projects, I found I didn’t get much of a say in what I was working on. I was placed on projects that didn’t align with my stated preferences.

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