Production/material Planner Intern

Production/Material Planner Intern

Location: Luling, Texas (Onsite)

Duration: June 8 - August 8, 2026

Company: X-Bow Systems Inc.

X-Bow Systems Inc. (pronounced "Crossbow") is a U.S. defense technology and rocket propulsion company that has developed an innovative, low-cost method to manufacture solid rocket motors.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Production/Material Planner Intern to join our operations team for the summer of 2026. This internship is designed to provide immersive, hands-on experience in the day-to-day operations of production planning and materials management within a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment. The intern will be embedded directly within our operations team, working alongside production planners, materials coordinators, and operations managers to support the execution of production schedules, material flow, and operational efficiency initiatives critical to our mission.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling:

• Assist in the development, maintenance, and execution of daily and weekly production schedules to ensure on-time delivery of rocket motor components
• Support production planners in tracking Manufacturing orders, job statuses, and production milestones across the manufacturing floor
• Help identify scheduling conflicts, bottlenecks, and capacity constraints and escalate findings to the operations team
• Participate in daily production meetings and assist in documenting action items and follow-ups

Materials Operations & Inventory Management:

• Analyze forecast data, production plans, and inventory levels to identify potential material shortages or excess.
• Collaborate closely with procurement, production, quality, and engineering to ensure on-time delivery of critical components.
• Optimize inventory management strategies to balance cost, risk, and service levels
• Ability to manage complex supply chains with multiple stakeholders and long lead times
• Generate and present reports on inventory, material availability, and planning
• Help coordinate the movement of materials across the production floor to support lean manufacturing workflows
• Conduct physical inventory counts and reconcile discrepancies between system records and actual inventory

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
• Operations Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Industrial Engineering
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on operational efficiency
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and reporting
• Familiarity with ERP systems and MRP concepts is a plus
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills

• Hands-on experience or coursework in production planning or operations management
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles such as 5S, Kanban, or Six Sigma
• Familiarity with production planning software or ERP tools (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, SAP, or similar)
• Understanding of aerospace or defense industry manufacturing processes
• Experience with data analysis and reporting tools
• Basic knowledge of quality control principles and their application in manufacturing

Learning Opportunities

• Gain immersive, hands-on experience in production planning and materials operations within a cutting-edge aerospace manufacturing environment
• Develop practical skills in production scheduling, inventory management, and lean manufacturing
• Learn how production planning integrates with procurement, quality, and engineering in a defense manufacturing setting
• Understand the application of MRP and ERP systems in real-world production environments
• Collaborate with experienced operations professionals and expand your professional network in the aerospace and defense industry

ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.