Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Fabrication Engineering - Digital Architecture (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 motivated summer intern to support initiatives involving digital architecture, manufacturing data integration, and engineering dashboard development. The intern will work with engineers, technicians, and project stakeholders to help improve the accessibility, visualization, and usability of fabrication-related data.

This position is particularly suited to students with an interest in digital engineering, data systems, manufacturing informatics, software development, user-centered dashboard design, or industrial engineering. The intern will gain exposure to fabrication operations, engineering workflows, data governance, and secure development practices in a research and development environment.

Primary Responsibilities

The summer intern may support work in the following areas

Assist in documenting current fabrication engineering data flows, systems, interfaces, and reporting processes.

Support development or enhancement of digital dashboards used to visualize manufacturing, quality, schedule, equipment, inventory, or project data.

Help design dashboard layouts, metrics, and data visualizations in collaboration with engineers and end users.

Develop or refine scripts, queries, data transformations, or automated reporting workflows using approved tools and platforms.

Assist with data collection, cleaning, validation, and organization from fabrication-related systems and approved data sources.

Participate in requirements-gathering sessions with technical staff to identify useful operational metrics and reporting needs.

Create technical documentation, data dictionaries, workflow diagrams, user guides, and presentation materials.

Support prototype development for digital architecture concepts, such as data pipelines, system integrations, role-based reporting, or digital-thread capabilities.

Conduct limited research on relevant technologies, dashboard practices, manufacturing data standards, and digital engineering approaches.

Test dashboard functions and data outputs; identify discrepancies and communicate findings to the project team.

Participate in regular project meetings, technical reviews, and assigned training activities.

Follow all applicable safety, cybersecurity, data-handling, export-control, and site-access requirements.

Preferred Focus Areas

Candidates with experience or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas are preferred:

Digital architecture and systems integration

Manufacturing data systems or industrial digitalization

Dashboard design and business intelligence tools

Data visualization and user experience design

Data engineering, data pipelines, or database systems

Digital thread, model-based engineering, or smart manufacturing

Process improvement and operational analytics

Learning Opportunities

The intern will have the opportunity to

Work alongside fabrication engineers, data specialists, and technical staff.

Gain practical experience applying digital tools to real engineering and manufacturing workflows.

Develop skills in dashboard design, data visualization, data governance, and technical documentation.

Learn how secure digital systems support operational decision-making in a research and development environment.

Present technical work to engineering stakeholders and receive mentorship from experienced staff.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Current enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in engineering, computer science, data science, information systems, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, design, or a related discipline.

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

Demonstrated ability to organize information, analyze problems, and communicate findings clearly.

Familiarity with at least one programming, scripting, analytics, or visualization environment, such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, MATLAB, Power BI, Tableau, Grafana, Excel, or similar approved tools.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to follow established procedures for safety, information protection, and controlled work environments.

Desired Qualifications

Experience developing dashboards or data visualizations for technical, operational, or research applications.

Familiarity with relational databases, APIs, data formats such as CSV, JSON, or XML, and data-quality practices.

Experience with version control tools such as Git.

Knowledge of manufacturing processes, fabrication operations, quality systems, or laboratory environments.

Exposure to cloud, on-premises, or hybrid