Program Material Planner
Date: Feb 23, 2026
Location: Lexington, MA, US
Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
The Fabrication Engineering Group realizes prototype systems that demonstrate advanced technology. The group provides innovative fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of advanced hardware prototypes for national security applications. The group is involved from the initial design through the final build including important operational elements such as production control and material management. The group concentrates on high-complexity parts, quick-turn capabilities and activities that require concurrent engineering with program teams. Specific examples of fabrication activities 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. Core PCB assembly capabilities include design for manufacturability (DFM), advanced solder paste jet dispensing, flexible surface mount technology (SMT) pick-n-place systems, and automated optical inspection (AOI) machines. Assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) capabilities include integration spaces, clean rooms, vibration testing, thermal testing, and space simulation chambers. The Group focuses on state-of-practice prototyping capabilities, exceptional collaboration, operational proficiency and technical excellence.
Position Description
The Fabrication Engineering Group seeks a talented, creative, and motivated individual to strengthen the Group’s ability to provide rapid and innovative solutions to challenging problems. The successful candidate will work as part of an interdisciplinary program team providing fabrication expertise, coordinating design for manufacturability reviews, facilitating fabrication activities, and developing and executing program fabrication plans working in close collaboration with program teams, internal shop operations, and Group members. A unique aspect of MIT LL is that we develop prototype systems rather than high volume production. The role of the Program Material Planner will focus on leading the supply chain strategy for a program, operating as a key liaison between program engineering, fabrication, and suppliers to ensure timely, cost-effective material availability from concept through prototype fabrication of mechanical assemblies. The role is responsible to manage risk, drive resolution for shortages, and execute detailed plans for procurement and fabrication. The ideal candidate will effectively partner with the program engineering team to continuously improve fabrication schedule alignment to program needs as well as optimize utilization of resources and ensure a smooth transition from planning to fabrication of prototypes.
Responsibilities include but not limited to
- Develop and Manage material supply plan for internally and externally fabricated components to support prototype development for a multitude of part commodity types and programs
- Coordinate with the multi-faceted cross-functional team and program contacts to align execution plan to program and technical needs
- Translate technical data provided into process instructions to execute fabrication and assembly of prototype hardware
- Develop strong working relationships with vendor base contacts that support external sourcing of key components for prototype development and fabrication
- Utilize planning tools to provide capacity analysis, cost, and schedule estimates to group and programs
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and manage projects related to fabrication, procurement, and project planning
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably within STEM discipline
- Recognized self-motivator that seeks to continuously learn and be challenged
- Ability to multi-task and drive issues to closure
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Hiring Range: $98,600 - $133,500
Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including—but not limited to—the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.
At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
- MIT-funded pension
- Matching 401K
- Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
- Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
- Mentorship programs
- A range of work-life balance options
- ... and much more!
Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.
Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.
Requisition ID: 42758
Nearest Major Market: Boston
Job Segment:
Security Clearance, Laboratory, Procurement, Defense, DoD, Government, Science, Operations
