Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Fabrication Engineering, Facilities and Logistics (Group 07-72)

Location: Lexington, MA, US

The Fabrication Engineering Group provides rapid fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of advanced hardware prototypes for national security applications.  Examples include the precision machining of fiber mounts for airborne high energy laser systems, multi-functional structures using additive processes for ground-based radar systems, custom printed circuit boards (PCBs) for space-borne data processing, and highly integrated mechanical packaging for undersea communication terminals. Core mechanical competencies span precision fabrication, additive manufacturing, and 5-axis machining. The group concentrates on high-complexity parts, quick-turn capabilities and activities that require concurrent engineering with program teams.  Core PCB capabilities include design for manufacturability (DFM), automated solder paste dispensers, precise pick-n-place machines, and automated optical inspection systems.  Assembly, integration, and test capabilities include integration spaces, clean rooms, vibration testing, thermal testing, and space simulation chambers.  The Group focuses on state-of-practice prototyping capabilities, technical excellence, exceptional collaboration and outstanding operation.

Position Description

The Fabrication Engineering Group seeks a summer intern to support facilities, material-flow, logistics, and operational-readiness activities within fabrication and prototype-development environments. The intern will work with engineers, technicians, facilities personnel, logistics staff, and project teams to improve the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of materials, equipment, tooling, and information.

This role is well suited to students interested in industrial engineering, manufacturing operations, facilities engineering, supply chain, project management, construction management, or engineering operations. Assignments may include shop-layout analysis, equipment relocation planning, inventory and tool-control processes, material staging, workflow mapping, facility readiness, and support for complex prototype programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Under the guidance of an assigned supervisor or technical mentor, the intern may:

Assist with documenting fabrication-area layouts, work zones, material routes, equipment locations, storage areas, and utility needs.

Support assessment of material flow, receiving, staging, storage, handling, and delivery processes for fabrication and prototype activities.

Help identify opportunities to improve workspace organization, visual management, tool availability, inventory visibility, and operational efficiency.

Assist in planning logistics for equipment moves, prototype hardware transfers, tool deployment, facility upgrades, or work-area reconfiguration.

Support preparation of work packages, checklists, schedules, inventories, and coordination materials for facilities and logistics tasks.

Help collect and analyze operational data related to space utilization, material movement, equipment use, inventory levels, turnaround time, or workflow constraints.

Participate in facility walkdowns, readiness reviews, work-planning meetings, and coordination activities with stakeholders.

Assist with tracking action items, dependencies, risks, and status for assigned facilities or logistics projects.

Support the development and maintenance of process maps, layouts, standard work instructions, signage concepts, and visual-management materials.

Help reconcile equipment, tooling, consumables, or material inventories using approved asset- and inventory-management systems.

Assist with planning requirements for lifting, rigging, staging, packaging, transportation, storage, and handling of hardware, as appropriate to training and supervision.

Prepare technical summaries, presentations, and recommendations describing observations, analyses, and proposed improvements.

Preferred Focus Areas

Preference may be given to candidates with interest or experience in one or more of the following:

Fabrication shop or laboratory operations

Facilities engineering and workspace planning

Material handling and logistics

Supply chain, inventory, and asset management

Industrial engineering and process improvement

Lean, 5S, visual management, or workflow optimization

Equipment installation, relocation, and operational readiness

Construction, infrastructure, utilities, or facility modification planning

Project scheduling, risk management, and cross-functional coordination

Learning Opportunities

The intern will have the opportunity to

Observe how fabrication facilities are planned, maintained, and adapted to support evolving engineering and prototype-development needs.

Gain exposure to real-world material-flow, equipment-installation, facilities-readiness, and logistics challenges.

Develop practical skills in workflow analysis, layout planning, inventory control, coordination, and technical communication.

Work with multidisciplinary teams that include fabrication engineers, technicians, facility managers, logistics professionals, safety staff, and project managers.

Receive mentorship and participate in relevant technical reviews, operational meetings, and continuous-improvement activities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Current enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, facilities engineering, construction management, supply chain management, operations management, project management, or a related discipline.

Completion of at least one year of post-secondary education by the start of the internship.

Demonstrated ability to organize information, evaluate processes, and communicate findings clearly.

Ability to work effectively with technical personnel, facilities staff, logistics personnel, and project stakeholders.

Proficiency with standard productivity tools, including spreadsheets, presenta