Supply Chain Management Intern – Critical Rare Earth Materials (Summer 2026)

Overview

LMI is seeking a Supply Chain Management Intern – Critical Rare Earth Materials to support analysis of supply chains for critical rare earth materials and their use in parts and components. This internship will focus on researching material flows, developing value stream maps, identifying infrastructure required to support recovery and recycling, and assessing whether parts containing rare earth materials can be recycled now or may become recyclable as new technologies mature. The intern will help build practical frameworks to support part screening and recyclability assessments.

LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed. 

Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors—helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value. 

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed supply chain analysis for critical rare earth materials, including upstream extraction, separation, refining, component manufacturing, assembly, use-phase, and end-of-life management.
• Develop value stream maps for rare earth material supply chains, identifying key actors, process steps, geographic concentrations, chokepoints, lead times, and dependencies across domestic and global markets.
• Assess supply chain vulnerabilities related to mining, processing capacity, import reliance, logistics constraints, single points of failure, and geopolitical or regulatory risks.
• Identify and characterize critical infrastructure required to support resilient supply chains, including mining capacity, separation and refining facilities, alloying and magnet production, collection systems, preprocessing capabilities, recycling plants, transportation networks, and supporting data systems.
• Evaluate the recyclability of parts and materials containing rare earth elements, considering material composition, product design, disassembly complexity, contamination risks, economic feasibility, and available processing technologies. Develop analytical frameworks and screening criteria to support part-level determinations of whether an item can be recycled today or may be recyclable in the future as processes, markets, or recovery technologies advance.
• Research and document current and emerging recycling technologies relevant to rare earth materials, including hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, direct reuse, magnet-to-magnet recovery, separation, and advanced material recovery approaches. Analyze technology readiness, commercialization barriers, throughput potential, cost drivers, environmental considerations, and scalability of recycling innovations under development.
• Collaborate with logisticians, industrial base specialists, and subject matter experts to align supply chain analysis with operational, manufacturing, and sustainment needs.
• Produce data and reports to communicate findings.
• Monitor developments in policy, industry capacity, and emerging technologies that may affect rare earth material availability, domestic resilience, and end-of-life recovery potential.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics, Supply Chain, or Materials Science
• Strong academic performance
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, data analysis); familiarity with data tools (e.g., Python, SQL, or Tableau) is a plus
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and integrity
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for a U.S. Government security clearance. Only US Citizens are eligible for a security clearance. For this position, LMI will only consider applicants with security clearances or applicants who are eligible for security clearances, due to the nature of the work.