Production Planner Administrator III

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus  ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus‑like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

The Facilities and Logistics Operations Division (6400) maintains and operates JPL’s infrastructure to enable resilient systems and mission success. Within this division, the Logistics & Operations Planning Section (643) directs Lab‑wide operations, including asset control, material movement, inventory management, metrology, and flight hardware support.

We are seeking a versatile Production Planning & Control professional to join the Production Control Group (643E). Leveraging industrial engineering, analytical, and technical expertise, you will optimize production processes, manage work order and material flow, and drive continuous improvement across a dynamic manufacturing environment. In this role, you will bridge planning, material management, and engineering integration to ensure flight and ground hardware is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Manage MRP‑driven supply, demand, and fulfillment planning; release work orders, requisitions, kits, and maintain accurate part master data and configuration.
• Coordinate with engineering and project teams to review drawings, translate requirements into manufacturable plans, and support Instructions for Build, Assembly & Test (IBAT)/manufacturing issue resolution.
• Review and level‑load production schedules to optimize resources, capacity, and throughput; assess manufacturing capabilities to meet project requirements cost‑effectively.
• Monitor material availability, resolve shortages, identify alternate sourcing, expedite subassemblies, and ensure components are available at point‑of‑use.
• Analyze MRP/ERP output, troubleshoot exceptions, adjust lead times, and ensure valid order policies, safety stocks, and build readiness.
• Provide material status, factory priorities, WIP visibility, KPIs, and corrective action plans; identify risks to build schedules and develop mitigation strategies.
• Optimize production workflows, reduce waste, shorten cycle times, improve productivity, and remove bottlenecks using industrial‑engineering methods.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across operations using Lean, Six Sigma, VSM, RCA, and data‑driven analysis.
• Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, finance, logistics, and project management teams to maintain material flow, resolve issues, and align priorities.
• Contribute to capacity planning, manpower planning, change management, configuration control, and operational improvement projects requiring strong analytical and cross‑functional leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field with 6 years of related experience (or master's with 4 years of related experience).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, capacity analysis, MRP/ERP systems, inventory management, and material flow.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering and…