Aerospace Strategic Sourcing Leader – Equity & Growth

Shieldai; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an experienced supplier management leader to drive strategic sourcing for critical aerospace hardware, including airframe structures and propulsion components. You will own supplier qualification, negotiate complex agreements, and collaborate with engineering to optimize manufacturability and cost.

This role supports prototype through production, requiring cross‑functional leadership and deep industry knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience in aerospace/defense.
• 7+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supplier management in regulated manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and procurement of mechanical commodities (airframe structures, gears, engines).
• Develop commodity strategies supporting prototype to production across aerospace programs.
• Own supplier qualification, onboarding, and long-term management for critical components.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities across manufacturing, capacity, quality, and finances.
• Lead RFQs, proposals, negotiations, should-cost modeling, and contract execution.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, IP provisions, and long-term agreements.
• Collaborate with Engineering on drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and SOWs.
• Drive early supplier involvement to improve manufacturability and reduce risk.
• Understand cost drivers for aircraft structures, machining, landing gear, engines.
• Perform cost/price analysis using supplier breakdowns, pricing data, and process knowledge.
• Manage supplier performance and lead recovery plans with executive reviews.
• Coordinate with multiple departments to resolve complex supply chain issues.
• Support NPI and production ramp with supplier readiness and tooling capacity.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Procurement

Supplier management

Cost analysis

Negotiations

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Engineering collaboration

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Shield AI seeks an experienced supplier management leader to drive strategic sourcing for critical aerospace hardware, including airframe structures and propulsion components. You will own supplier qualification, negotiate complex agreements, and collaborate with engineering to optimize manufacturability and cost.

This role supports prototype through production, requiring cross‑functional leadership and deep industry knowledge.