R&D Procurement Specialist

LeoLabs, Inc.•Menlo Park, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

LeoLabs is seeking an R&D Procurement Specialist to join their Operations, Logistics & Supply Chain team. This role is crucial for procuring essential materials, components, equipment, and services that support the development of LeoLabs' advanced radar and sensing technology. The specialist will translate engineering requirements, prototype needs, program schedules, and budget inputs into effective sourcing and purchasing plans, ensuring alignment with cost, quality, schedule, compliance, and contract requirements. The position requires experience in R&D, aerospace, defense, electronics, RF, radar, or advanced technology environments, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, shifting priorities, long lead times, and low-volume production. Key responsibilities include supplier identification and management, negotiation of terms, risk monitoring, and ensuring material readiness for engineering builds and testing. The role demands strong attention to detail, proactive communication, and collaboration with technical and business teams in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Personnel Security Clearance.
5+ years of procurement, sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain experience in a technical, engineering-focused, or hardware development environment.
Experience procuring specialized technical components, electronics, RF/radar hardware, test equipment, fabricated parts, or engineering services.
Ability to manage competing procurement priorities and time-sensitive purchases in a fast-paced, ambiguous development environment.
Experience soliciting quotes, evaluating supplier proposals, negotiating pricing and lead times, and issuing purchase orders.
Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, formulas, filtering, sorting, and data analysis.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with ERP, procurement, and inventory management systems.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, finance, and program stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting R&D, aerospace, defense, radar, RF, electronics, or advanced manufacturing organizations.
Familiarity with sourcing electronic components, RF hardware, test equipment, custom fabricated parts, and specialized engineering materials.
Experience supporting government-funded programs and associated procurement requirements, including FAR/DFARS flow-down awareness where applicable.
Knowledge of supplier quality management, obsolescence management, and supply chain risk mitigation practices.
Experience supporting prototype development, new product introduction (NPI), engineering change processes, or low-volume production environments.
Experience supporting classified programs and secure supply chain environments.

Responsibilities

Procure technical components, materials, equipment, and services supporting R&D, prototype, testing, and manufacturing activities.
Partner with Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, and Finance to translate technical requirements, build schedules, and budget inputs into sourcing and purchasing plans.
Identify, evaluate, onboard, and manage suppliers supporting complex hardware, electronics, RF/radar, and technology development efforts.
Solicit and analyze quotations, negotiate pricing and delivery terms, and issue purchase orders in alignment with program needs and internal approvals.
Monitor supplier performance, delivery schedules, cost impacts, and procurement risks; proactively escalate constraints that may affect program milestones.
Support long-lead material planning, alternate sourcing, and supply chain risk mitigation for prototype builds and low-volume production.
Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing to support prototype builds, test events that will translate to NPI ramp up activities.
Maintain accurate procurement records and support compliance with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable government procurement requirements.
Help improve procurement workflows, cost controls, data accuracy, and supply chain resilience as the organization scales.