Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Fabrication Engineering, Fa

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, presentations, and document-management applications.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to follow safety procedures, work controls, and established organizational processes.

Desired Qualifications

• Coursework or experience in facilities planning, manufacturing systems, supply chain, operations research, project management, or industrial engineering.
• Familiarity with process mapping, value-stream mapping, facility layouts, workflow diagrams, or space-utilization analysis.
• Experience using CAD, layout, scheduling, inventory, asset-management, or data-analysis tools.
• Familiarity with Lean principles, 5S, continuous improvement, visual workplace methods, or root-cause analysis.
• Experience in a laboratory, fabrication shop, warehouse, construction site, manufacturing environment, or student engineering project.
• Exposure to material-handling equipment, packaging, storage, shipping, receiving, or inventory-control practices.
• Familiarity with safety practices associated with industrial environments, including hazard identification, personal protective equipment, and work-area controls.
• Experience coordinating tasks across multiple stakeholders or maintaining project schedules and action-item trackers.

Expectations

Expected Deliverables

Depending on the assigned project, the intern may contribute to:

• Facility or shop-area layouts, equipment-location plans, and material-flow diagrams.
• A documented assessment of an existing logistics, staging, storage, or inventory-control process.
• Recommendations for improved workflow, workspace organization, asset visibility, or material-handling practices.
• Project schedules, readiness checklists, move plans, or coordination packages for approved activities.
• Updated inventory, asset, tool-control, or storage-location records.
• Draft work instructions, standard operating procedures, visual-management aids, or facility-support documentation.
• A final technical presentation or written summary of work performed, findings, and recommendations.

Safety, Security, and Compliance Expectations

The intern will work in environments where safety, configuration control, and responsible handling of technical information are essential. The intern will be expected to:

• Complete required safety, security, and work-control training before performing assigned duties.
• Follow facility, laboratory, shop, and material-handling procedures, including required use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform tasks involving lifting, rigging, equipment movement, powered equipment, or controlled materials only when trained, authorized, and appropriately supervised.
• Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, material discrepancies, or process deviations promptly.
• Follow approved asset-control, property-management, records-management, and configuration-management procedures.
• Protect sensitive, proprietary, controlled, export-controlled, or otherwise restricted information and use approved systems for all project documentation.
• Observe access controls and escort requirements for restricted work areas and facilities.

Summer Research Program Overview

The Summer Research Program offers students the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national security challenges while working alongside leading scientists and engineers. As an SRP intern, you'll engage in hands-on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and take part in professional development opportunities including workshops, tech talks, and networking events-all while building connections within a vibrant community of peers.

• Internships are typically 10-12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, typically May through early August.
• Housing support is available for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment.
• Complimentary daily shuttle transportation is provided from Boston-based housing to and from the Lab.

Learn more about the Summer Research Program at: https://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/student-opportunities/summer-research-program

Compensation

Hourly pay rates are based on the highest academic year or degree completed before the internship start date.

Freshman year completed: $25.00/hour
Sophomore year completed: $27.00/hour
Junior year completed: $29.00/hour
4th year of 5 year program completed, no degree conferred: $32.00/hour
Bachelors completed: $34.50/hour
Bachelors + 1, one year of graduate study completed: $36.50/hour
Bachelors + 2, two years of graduate study completed: $38.00/hour
MS completed: $39.00/hour
MS + 1, one year of graduate study completed after the MS: $41.00/hour
MS + 2, two years of graduate study completed after the MS: $42.50/hour
MS + 3, three years of graduate study completed after the MS: $43.50/hour

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: 43539