Summer Research Program Intern 2027, Fabrication Engineering - Digital Architecture (Group 07-72)

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 data architectures.
• Experience creating process maps, system architecture diagrams, or technical documentation.
• Familiarity with Agile project practices, user interviews, or iterative prototype development.
• Demonstrated attention to cybersecurity, access control, and responsible handling of sensitive information.

Expectations

Expected Deliverables

Depending on project assignment and internship duration, expected deliverables may include:

• A documented assessment of a fabrication-related reporting or data workflow.
• A prototype or enhanced dashboard using approved organizational tools.
• A defined set of metrics, data sources, assumptions, and refresh procedures.
• Data-cleaning, transformation, or reporting scripts with appropriate documentation.
• A technical summary, user guide, or final presentation describing work completed, findings, and recommended next steps.

Work Environment and Security Expectations

This position may involve work in office, laboratory, fabrication, or controlled-access environments. The selected intern must comply with all organizational policies governing:

• Protection of sensitive, proprietary, controlled, or personally identifiable information.
• Use of approved systems, software, storage locations, and communication channels.
• Role-based access controls and least-privilege practices.
• Cybersecurity, acceptable use, records management, and configuration-control requirements.
• Safety procedures applicable to fabrication and engineering 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: 43541