Sourcing Specialist, Mechanical

About the role

Become a vital member of the Starshield Supply Chain team, where you will play a crucial role in managing demand forecasting and sourcing hardware for our satellite constellation. This position requires you to thrive in a dynamic environment, where you will influence supplier performance and support high-volume production for missions focused on government contracts.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Process and manage purchase orders while resolving any issues related to blocked invoices for designated hardware categories.
• Anticipate demand, evaluate supplier capabilities, and oversee material flow signals to ensure timely delivery.
• Keep a close watch on high-risk components and monitor vendor delivery schedules to mitigate potential delays.
• Analyze engineering drawings and Bills of Materials (BOM) to develop effective sourcing strategies tailored to project needs.
• Handle the procurement of both custom and Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) mechanical hardware.
• Establish and nurture a network of preferred suppliers to optimize costs and reduce lead times for procurement.
• Supervise outsourced fabrication initiatives, coordinating with stakeholders and managing vendor performance to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Conduct on-site audits of vendor capabilities to assess their operational effectiveness.
• Draft and manage contracts in collaboration with the legal team to ensure compliance and protect company interests.
• Negotiate contract terms to enhance value while minimizing associated risks.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree or a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in areas such as purchasing, procurement, material planning, production planning, supply chain management, or engineering.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time as required by project needs.
• Flexibility to work extended hours or weekends when necessary to meet project deadlines.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to comply with ITAR regulations.

Nice to have

• Over 2 years of professional experience in technical sourcing, procurement, or planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, including milling, turning, waterjet cutting, laser cutting, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Familiarity with various material finishes, coatings, heat treatment processes, and painting techniques.
• Experience with Material Resource Planning (MRP) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, particularly in managing work orders and BOMs.
• APICS or Six Sigma certifications that demonstrate a commitment to quality and efficiency in supply chain management.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel, SQL, and PowerBI for effective decision-making.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in technical sourcing and procurement strategies
• Proficient in demand planning and forecasting methodologies
• Strong contract management skills to ensure compliance and value
• Familiarity with Material Resource Planning (MRP) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
• Competence in data analysis to inform sourcing decisions

Practical notes

• The salary range for this position is between $85,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Compensation packages may include stock options, long-term cash incentives, discretionary bonuses, and participation in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive benefits are offered, including medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) plan, disability and life insurance, paid parental leave, three weeks of vacation, and more than ten paid holidays each year.
• This position is strictly onsite in Hawthorne, CA, requiring your presence at the facility to collaborate with team members and stakeholders effectively.

Join SpaceX as a Sourcing Specialist in Mechanical and contribute to advancements in space technology while working in a collaborative and innovative environment. Your expertise will be instrumental in supporting missions that push the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.