Principal Planner

Aston Carter•Germantown, MD

5d•$101,098 - $131,427•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Planner leads master production planning in a complex aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. The role ensures production schedules, materials, and contractual requirements align to support mission-critical programs. It is based fully on-site in Germantown, Maryland, and involves close collaboration with production, supply chain, and program teams, as well as interaction with senior leadership and overseas teams. The workweek follows a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off and a structured holiday calendar that includes a company shutdown period around the holidays. The position offers opportunities for career advancement and consideration for internal roles, potentially as early as six months into employment. The planner creates and maintains the Master Production Schedule (MPS), coordinates formal stakeholder agreement before execution, maintains accurate planning records, monitors shipments and schedule changes, and supports the Internal Operating Plan (IOP). The role also guides lower-level planners, addresses production and shipping bottlenecks, consolidates purchase requisition demand, and identifies process improvements. Candidates need a bachelor's degree and at least eight years of relevant planning, supply chain, or related experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or technical manufacturing. U.S. citizenship is required, as is the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance within a reasonable timeframe after hire.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated experience in planning, supply chain, or related functions.
Extensive production-planning experience in a manufacturing environment.
Strong experience in project material management, including demand consolidation and material planning.
Solid understanding of end-to-end business processes and functional interrelationships across supply chain, production, and program management.
Excellent understanding and practical use of MRP systems for planning and scheduling.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, as well as PowerPoint and Word.
Experience using SharePoint for collaboration and document management.
Supply chain and logistics experience supporting manufacturing operations.
Ability to perform cost analysis related to production and materials planning.
Experience in schedule planning, material planning, and work-order management.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance within a reasonable timeframe after hire.
Ability to communicate effectively with leadership and cross-functional teams, demonstrating a polished and professional presence.
Commitment to working fully on-site in Germantown, Maryland.

Nice To Haves

Planning, supply chain, or related experience in aerospace, defense, or technical manufacturing.
Experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing or automotive/technical manufacturing industries.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) based on production capacity, material availability, and contractual requirements.
Obtain alignment and formal agreement on the MPS from production, materials, and program office stakeholders before execution.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date MPS files, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
Ensure completed programs and jobs are properly closed out, including disposition of requisitions, purchase orders, and residual inventory.
Monitor shipping performance against the MPS and contractual commitments, and develop tracking reports to highlight status and variances.
Track and report the number and nature of changes to each MPS to support continuous improvement and risk management.
Interface with contracts, planning, master scheduling, and production teams to create and maintain the Internal Operating Plan (IOP).
Provide leadership and guidance to lower-level planners by setting work priorities, offering technical assistance, and verifying work quality and accuracy.
Ensure product moves efficiently from production through packaging and into shipping, resolving bottlenecks and issues as needed.
Develop reports comparing actual shipments against projections to provide visibility into performance and trends.
Collaborate with manufacturing to establish, maintain, and evolve a stable, realistic manufacturing schedule.
Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and daily operations to better meet organizational goals.
Reschedule daily delivery requirements and re-plan as needed to meet internal needs and contractual obligations.
Consolidate demand for purchase requisitions to optimize material planning and procurement activities.
Support, communicate, and uphold the organization's mission, values, and culture in planning activities.

Benefits

Annual performance-based bonuses may be available.
Equity awards may be available.
Overtime pay for non-exempt employees, as applicable.
Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Employer matching 401(k) retirement plan and company contribution to a health savings account.
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Paid parental leave benefits.
Tuition reimbursement.
Professional development support and career-growth programs.
Life and disability insurance coverage.
Legal insurance.
Telemedicine.
Wellness programs focused on physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.
Community service hours.
Company holiday shutdown period.