Supply Chain & Operations Lead

Skyband Systems•Kirkland, WA

2d•$120,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Skyband Systems is a VC-backed aerospace startup developing the M100, an avionics system that combines Low Earth Orbit satellite signals with inertial sensing to provide pilots with navigation information when GPS is unreliable. The company designs, builds, tests, and flies its own hardware. The Supply Chain & Operations Lead owns the end-to-end processes for building and shipping the M100, including purchasing, inventory, suppliers, and production readiness. The role will establish the systems, processes, and operational visibility needed to support engineering and manufacturing as production scales from initial builds to dozens of units per month and beyond. It will also develop inventory and material-handling practices aligned with the Quality Management System (QMS), including recordkeeping, material traceability, and production accountability. The position will identify operational bottlenecks and root causes, improve or automate processes, and determine the tools, suppliers, and personnel needed to support future growth. It also supports broader startup operations, including finance and accounting, people operations, IT systems, state registrations and licenses, and office and shop operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in operations, supply chain, manufacturing, business, engineering, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in operations, procurement, supply chain, production planning, or manufacturing support, including experience with physical products.
Experience building or overhauling a process or system, rather than only operating an existing one.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Able to lift up to 25 lbs. and perform hands-on receiving, counting, and shelving.
Valid driver's license and ability to make occasional local supplier pickups and drop-offs.

Nice To Haves

Experience setting up or administering an MRP or ERP system such as MRPeasy, NetSuite, Katana, Odoo, or similar.
Electronics manufacturing experience, including bills of materials, component procurement, contract manufacturers, and production planning.
Experience in AS9100 or ISO 9001 environments, including writing procedures and running receiving inspection or nonconformance processes.
Experience scaling a hardware product from low-rate to volume production, ideally at a startup.
Supplier negotiation, second-sourcing, or cost-reduction experience.
Experience with bookkeeping, financial forecasting, HR administration, or small-company IT.
Comfort using AI tools and automation to eliminate repetitive work and improve operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

Own production readiness for each build, including material planning, shortages, and decisions about expediting, substituting, or moving dates.
Build and operate the MRP system as the single source of truth for inventory, bills of materials, purchasing, and traceability.
Develop the supplier base by qualifying second sources, negotiating pricing and payment terms, and placing long-lead and blanket orders.
Manage contract manufacturers, consigned materials, in-house production, and rework.
Write and improve QMS procedures for receiving, inspection, quarantine, traceability, and nonconformance.
Build spend forecasts and bill-of-materials cost-reduction plans with leadership.
Identify operational bottlenecks and address them by redesigning processes, removing steps, or automating work.
Assist with startup business operations, including finance and accounting support, people operations, IT systems, state registrations, licenses, and office and shop operations.