Procurement Specialist II

Inversion•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$80,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

Inversion is seeking a Procurement Specialist II to connect internal engineering teams with external suppliers and support a compliant supply chain for spaceflight hardware. The role owns the Approved Supplier List and manages end-to-end sourcing, purchasing, and material planning for engineering materials, parts, equipment, and specialized aerospace hardware. The successful candidate will navigate aerospace and government contract requirements, audit suppliers for quality compliance, manage supplier partnerships, and translate technical requirements and engineering changes into procurement plans that support development schedules. This position requires in-office presence at the company’s headquarters in Playa Vista, California.

Requirements

Typically 4 or more years of direct purchasing or procurement experience in aerospace, defense, or government contracting.
Demonstrated understanding of aerospace and government contract types, compliance requirements, and standard flow-down clauses.
Proven ability to independently audit and vet suppliers for strict quality assurance.
Experience owning end-to-end purchasing and material-planning execution for engineering materials, parts, equipment, and specialized hardware.
High proficiency in the MS Office Suite.
Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of proactive vendor management.
Ability to take individual responsibility and sole ownership in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, supply chain management, or a related field.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a high-growth environment where processes are actively being built and refined.
Direct familiarity with aerospace quality management systems.
Experience using enterprise resource planning or manufacturing execution software.
Ability to interpret engineering-driven procurement needs, including material specifications, part requirements, quantities, technical documentation, and delivery dates.
Experience supporting prototype development, engineering builds, hardware integration, test campaigns, or production planning.
Startup experience and comfort working in a rapid-growth, highly accountable environment.

Responsibilities

Qualify, quote, audit, and manage suppliers, specialized machine shops, and special-process vendors, including heat treat, plating, and nondestructive testing providers.
Enforce supply-chain documentation requirements, including Certificates of Conformance, Material Test Reports, and First Article Inspections.
Track supplier delivery and quality metrics and drive root-cause corrective actions for vendor escapes.
Prepare and execute procurement negotiations, expedite long-lead hardware, and execute dual-sourcing strategies to reduce single-point supply risks.
Serve as the primary operational liaison between internal engineering requirements and vendor technical capabilities.
Identify opportunities for cost savings, lead-time reduction, supplier consolidation, and improved material availability.
Support inventory planning by maintaining appropriate stock levels for engineering needs while minimizing excess inventory and obsolescence risk.
Ensure purchases comply with company procurement policies, applicable industry regulations, safety requirements, and documentation standards.
Own the Approved Supplier List and drive end-to-end sourcing for high-reliability aerospace hardware.
Manage purchasing and planning for engineering-related materials, parts, and equipment, and drive deliveries to meet engineering project needs.