Principal Planner @ Aston Carter

Job Title: Principal PlannerJob DescriptionWe are seeking an experienced Principal Planner to join our on-site team in Germantown, MD. This role leads master production planning in a complex aerospace and defense manufacturing environment, ensuring that production schedules, materials, and contractual requirements align to support mission-critical programs. The ideal candidate brings at least eight years of planning experience in aerospace, defense, or other technical manufacturing industries and is ready to make an immediate impact on a rapidly growing organization.

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 prior to execution.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date MPS files, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
• Ensure proper closeout of completed programs and jobs, including disposition of all 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 the quality and accuracy of their work.
• Ensure product moves efficiently from production through packaging and into shipping, resolving bottlenecks and issues as needed.
• Develop reports that compare actual shipments against projections, providing visibility into performance and trends.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing to establish, maintain, and evolve a stable, realistic manufacturing schedule.
• Identify opportunities to improve current systems, processes, and daily operations to more effectively meet organizational goals.
• Reschedule daily delivery requirements when issues arise, re-planning 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 mission, values, and culture of the organization in all planning activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree and a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated experience in planning, supply chain, or related functions, preferably in aerospace, defense, or technical manufacturing.
• Extensive experience in production planning within 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 inter-relationships across supply chain, production, and program management.
• Excellent understanding and practical use of MRP systems for planning and scheduling.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including Excel 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 managing work orders.
• Experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing or automotive/technical manufacturing industries.
• 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.

Work EnvironmentThis role is based 100% on-site in Germantown, MD, with no hybrid or remote option at this time. The position operates in a technical manufacturing environment focused on aerospace and defense products, where close collaboration with production, supply chain, and program teams is essential. The standard schedule follows a 9/80 workweek, providing every other Friday off, along with a structured holiday calendar and a company shutdown period around the holidays. Employees benefit from a comprehensive benefits package and have opportunities for career advancement and consideration for internal roles, potentially as early as six months into employment.

The organization also offers international collaboration and exposure through close work with overseas teams. Candidates should expect a professional, polished culture where interaction with VP-level leadership is common and where commitment to working fully on-site is essential to support manufacturing operations and organizational growth.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Germantown, MD.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $101098.00 - $131427.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Germantown,MD.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.