Pros
When Draper spun off from MIT, the engineering groups were fully formed. The can-do attitude and striving for excellence continue to produce awesome results. It is an honor to make contributions towards solving big problems. The benefit package is strong.
Kontras
On the other hand, the administration had to start from scratch after the spinoff. The gap has narrowed; but, still exists. There can be, in administration, a can’t do/won’t do attitude and settling for mediocrity. Draper consists largely of people from a military background and people from an academic background. These cultures sometimes clash. Engineers often search for tasks/projects that would utilize their skill sets; tasks/projects are often stalled searching for staff with the required skill sets. Both searches are frequently in vain; a matchmaker is needed. Draper Laboratory has been spinning dervishly over the last couple of years. The challenge to surviving a tornado or avalanche, once the spinning stops, is figuring out which way is up and out and which way is down and dead.