Sourcing Manager, AI Satellite Electronics (Starmind)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sourcing Manager will support SpaceX’s AI Satellite Supply Chain team and its production facility. The AI Satellite program aims to bring compute to space at global scale. This high-profile, cross-functional role supports the development and production flow of AI Satellites and requires close partnership with engineering and manufacturing to create and execute supply chain strategies aligned with aggressive production goals. Because final integration occurs in-house, the role offers visibility into hardware production on the factory floor. The role covers sourcing for connector-related commodities, PCBA and harnessing, and custom and commercial off-the-shelf mechanical hardware. It includes supplier strategy and development, production capacity and transition planning, demand forecasting, procurement, contract authoring and management, negotiations, and vendor performance oversight. The posting describes the position as 100% onsite and based in Redmond, Washington; it also references support for the Bastrop, Texas production facility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas, or 7+ years of experience in one or more of them: engineering; purchasing; contract negotiation; material or production planning; operations or supply chain management; material cost control; or master production scheduling.
Position may require extended hours and/or weekend work when needed.
Position may require travel up to 30%.
Must meet the stated ITAR eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with MRP or ERP systems and managing bills of materials, work orders, and purchase orders.
Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and lead-time analysis.
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly in a fast-moving, changing environment and prioritize multiple ongoing projects.
Strong track record of achieving results, with examples of wins and quantified impact.
Strong data-analysis skills using Excel, SQL, and Power BI.
Understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines, including mills, lathes, waterjets, laser cutters, and sheet-metal fabrication.
Familiarity with common material finishes and coatings, including paint, powder coat, anodizing, and heat treatment.
APICS, Six Sigma, or similar certification.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with all levels of internal personnel.
Ability to work in ambiguous situations and across organizational boundaries, with a history of self-learning and applying newly learned tools and techniques.
Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs.

Responsibilities

Create sourcing strategies for assigned connector suppliers, PCBA and harnessing, whether consigned or turnkey.
Manage supplier factories through transitions from NPI rates to full production rates, including capacity assessments, CAPEX and NRE reviews and proposals, and supplier production-line site changes; ensure qualification and ramp-up align with SpaceX production schedules.
Place purchase orders and resolve blocked invoices for assigned categories.
Forecast demand, evaluate capacity, and manage supply signals to adjust incoming material.
Track high-risk components and supplier delivery performance.
Communicate clearly and rapidly to influence vendor and senior leadership decisions.
Interpret engineering drawings and bills of materials (BOMs).
Create sourcing strategies for custom and COTS mechanical hardware.
Develop a preferred supplier network to reduce cost and lead time for fabrication and delivery of parts.
Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed and efficiency.
Manage outsourced fabrication projects, including planning, stakeholder coordination, completion estimates, and vendor performance.
Conduct onsite reviews of vendor capabilities.
Author contract documents in coordination with the legal department.
Manage contracts and supplier performance against contract obligations.
Understand relationships among contracts and terms, and apply sound business reasoning and creativity to interpret their application to business needs.
Negotiate to maximize value and cost savings while reducing risk.