Technical Program Manager, Supply Chain
About The Position
GITAI is a space robotics company focused on reducing the cost of work in space. They develop robotic systems for orbital, lunar, and defense applications, handling hardware, software, testing, and integration internally to accelerate development. The company is in its early stages, with systems, the company, and the market all under development. This role is for someone who thrives in a challenging, hands-on environment where they can directly contribute to building the future. Your mission is to manage the supply chain execution for technical hardware programs. This involves translating engineering and program requirements into supplier actions, securing material readiness, establishing delivery commitments, and negotiating commercial terms that safeguard GITAI. This is not a purely administrative purchasing role or an internal program management position. You will collaborate closely with engineering, program leadership, suppliers, and operations to ensure critical parts, materials, services, and supplier deliverables are available when needed for programs, particularly those supporting U.S. government defense initiatives in space. The VP of Program Management will oversee upstream program context, supplier direction, and major priorities. Engineers will lead technical direction and design decisions. Your responsibility will be supplier-facing execution, encompassing RFQs, quote comparisons, T&C reviews, purchase orders, delivery follow-up, supplier escalations, material readiness, and managing commercial risks.
Requirements
- A degree in engineering, supply chain management, manufacturing, operations management, or a closely related field is required.
- Experience in procurement, supplier management, contracts, supply chain, or commercial execution in a hardware, aerospace, defense, robotics, or deep tech environment.
- Experience working at an early-stage startup, ideally Series B or earlier, where teams were small, processes were incomplete, and supplier negotiation required judgment, persistence, and creativity rather than large-company leverage.
- Experience supporting U.S. government, defense, aerospace, or Space Force-related programs.
- Working knowledge of ITAR, EAR, export-controlled environments, controlled technical data, supplier access risks, and foreign person restrictions.
- Experience negotiating supplier-facing terms, including T&Cs, PO terms, payment terms, delivery terms, cancellation terms, and commercial risk allocation.
- Ability to work with engineers, understand technical program context, and translate program needs into supplier actions without becoming a bottleneck or a pass-through messenger.
- Good judgment on when supplier support accelerates vertical integration and when it creates dependency, loss of control, compliance risk, or downstream program risk.
- Clear and direct communication with suppliers and internal teams. You should be able to state the issue, the risk, the tradeoff, and the next action.
- Comfort with ambiguity, changing requirements, short timelines, incomplete process, and high program urgency.
- U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if required for the program.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with FAR, DFARS, government contract flow-downs, SBIR, OTA, prime/subcontractor relationships, defense suppliers, prototype procurement, NPI procurement, CNC, PCBA, harnesses, machined parts, test hardware, or specialized engineering services.
Responsibilities
- Own supplier-facing execution for assigned space defense programs, including RFQs, purchase orders, supplier follow-up, delivery tracking, and commercial issue resolution.
- Turn engineering and program needs into executable supplier actions, while keeping technical ownership, schedule control, and mission risk inside GITAI.
- Negotiate supplier terms that protect GITAI, including payment terms, delivery terms, cancellation terms, IP-related terms, warranty, liability, inspection, acceptance, and other commercial risks.
- Review supplier quotes, T&Cs, order documents, and commercial proposals to identify risks before they become program problems.
- Work with engineering and program leadership to understand technical context, urgency, supplier tradeoffs, and what must be protected in each transaction.
- Push suppliers to move quickly while keeping them engaged. Know when to press, when to trade, when to compromise, and when to escalate.
- Support procurement activity in export-controlled and government program environments, including ITAR/EAR awareness, controlled technical information, and supplier access risks.
- Support defense program execution by tracking flow-down requirements, deliverables, acceptance terms, compliance risks, and supplier commitments.
- Maintain clear visibility into open POs, supplier commitments, delivery risk, lead times, commercial blockers, and next actions.
- Help build supplier execution practices that are strong enough for defense work but light enough for a vertically integrated startup that needs speed.
Benefits
- Health Insurance – Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 90% for dependents
- 401(k) Plan – Company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth options
- Equity – Stock option eligibility depending on role
- Relocation Support – Available for qualifying positions
- Time Off – 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave (in accordance with applicable law)
- Office Perks – Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
