Purchasing Specialist

INFINITY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC•Albuquerque, NM

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for procuring materials, equipment, supplies, and services to support Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space technology programs under the SSHINE contract. This role focuses on procurement of space-rated hardware, specialized aerospace components, commercial and non-commercial space systems, and technical equipment for spacecraft ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class satellites. The Purchasing Specialist manages the full procurement lifecycle including sourcing, bid management, contract administration, vendor relationships, and Government property management while ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements and organizational policies. The ideal candidate will support: Space hardware procurement: Source and procure space-rated/space-grade hardware, long-lead items, and specialized aerospace components for flight experiments and ground systems Government property management: Maintain inventory and management of Government-furnished property and contractor-acquired property in accordance with FAR requirements Procurement coordination: Coordinate all purchases with Government Technical Leads and obtain Contracting Officer approval for purchases exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Vendor management: Develop and maintain relationships with aerospace vendors, space component suppliers, and commercial providers This position requires understanding of aerospace procurement, experience with Government contracting processes, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting innovative space technology experiments for the Department of Defense.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree
Junior: 0-3 years of experience in maintenance, logistics, or facilities operations
Senior: 10+ years of experience in maintenance, logistics, or facilities operations
Secret Clearance
Strong knowledge of procurement processes, contract administration, and vendor management
Experience with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Government procurement requirements
Understanding of aerospace components, space hardware, or technical equipment procurement
Proficiency with Government property management and inventory control systems
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
Excellent organizational and time management skills for managing multiple concurrent procurements
Effective negotiation and communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and procurement/ERP systems
Ability to work effectively with engineers, technical leads, and program managers
Strong documentation and recordkeeping capabilities
Ability to handle sensitive procurement information and maintain confidentiality
U.S. Citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience procuring space-rated, space-grade, or aerospace-qualified components
Familiarity with long-lead item management for complex aerospace programs
Prior experience supporting AFRL, DoD laboratories, or Air Force space programs
Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and space hardware requirements
Experience with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
Understanding of supply chain management for experimental aerospace programs
Experience with cloud services procurement (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government)
Familiarity with Technical Data Package (TDP) requirements for aerospace procurement
Knowledge of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance for space hardware
Experience with commercial and non-commercial space vendor markets
Certification such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CPCM (Certified Professional Contracts Manager), or similar
Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar)
Background in CubeSat or small satellite procurement

Responsibilities

Review and process purchase requisitions for accuracy, compliance, and completeness
Procure materials, equipment, supplies, software, and services in a timely, cost-effective manner
Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, and change orders
Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation
Identify, evaluate, and develop qualified suppliers
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships
Monitor vendor performance for quality, cost, delivery, and compliance
Develop sourcing strategies for critical and long-lead items
Prepare and issue RFPs, RFQs, and bid requests
Analyze proposals and recommend best-value awards
Administer supplier contracts and process modifications as needed
Implement cost-effective purchasing strategies aligned with business goals
Analyze spending trends and identify cost-saving opportunities
Support budget planning and improve procurement workflows
Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and FAR/DFARS when applicable
Support audits and maintain procurement transparency
Track inventory, property, and required procurement reports
Coordinate shipping, receiving, and delivery of materials and equipment
Partner with internal teams to support operational and program needs