Category Manager - Electronics Torrance, CA

Salient Motion, Inc.; Torrance, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Salient Motion, Inc. in Torrance, CA seeks a Category Manager, Electronics to own the electronics supply base for PCBAs, connectors, power supplies, motor drives and related sub-assemblies.

The role is strategic, high visibility, and works with engineering, program management and quality to ensure a cost-effective, resilient supply. This position requires a US Person under ITAR, with experience in aerospace/defense or regulated manufacturing, and strong negotiation and supplier-management

Job description

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to meet customer and regulatory requirements

Who We Are

We are pioneering modular motion technologies to power the next generation of innovation for Industrial, Aerospace and Defense. If you're excited about disrupting legacy industries, and passionate about building the financial infrastructure behind cutting-edge hardware, let's chat!

We are at the forefront of innovation, crafting exclusive motion control components that propel the industrial, aerospace, and defense sectors into the future.

A couple other things:

• We offer a lot of autonomy
• We like to run lean for impact
• We have great benefits
• We are well funded, and already generating revenue
• We're currently in Torrance, CA, but will be moving into a new facility in Hawthorne, CA in the summer!

What you'll do:

The Category Manager, Electronics owns the electronics supply base that feeds Salient Motion's actuator, power supply, and integrated system product lines. This is a strategic, high-visibility role: the mandate is to set commodity strategy for PCBAs, connectors, power conversion components, motor drives, and avionics-adjacent electronics, and to be the strategic authority the business relies on when a supplier problem threatens a program milestone.

This role works directly with engineering, program management, and quality to translate design intent into a resilient, cost-competitive supply base, and requires U.S. Person status due to the export-controlled nature of the components and programs involved

• Own category strategy and supplier selection across PCBAs, connectors, power supplies, motor drives, and electronic sub-assemblies/cable assemblies.
• Lead sourcing for new programs from RFQ through award, negotiating cost, lead time, and terms that protect program margin and schedule.
• Manage component allocation risk and lead-time volatility; build multi-source and second-source strategies to protect production continuity.
• Drive a proactive obsolescence program for electronic components across active and legacy platforms.
• Partner with design engineering during development to influence component selection for cost, and availability.
• Lead or support supplier corrective action for quality escapes tied to electronic components.
• Negotiate and manage long-term agreements, pricing tiers, and consigned inventory arrangements with key electronics distributors and manufacturers.
• Monitor and report commodity market trends (tariffs, shortages, conflict) and their impact on cost and availability.
• Ensure supplier compliance with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, and counterfeit-parts avoidance requirements (AS5553).
• Support make/buy analysis and total-cost-of-ownership modeling for electronics commodities.

What you need:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain for electronic components, ideally in aerospace, defense, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing semiconductors, PCBAs/electronic sub-assemblies, connectors, and power electronics.
• Working knowledge of DMSMS/obsolescence management practices.
• Experience negotiating supply agreements, pricing, and long-term commitments with distributors and OEM electronics manufacturers.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and counterfeit electronic parts avoidance (AS5553/AS6081).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Nice to have:

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Epicor) for demand planning and PO management.
• Prior experience supporting flight controls, actuation systems, or aircraft systems programs.
• Exposure to power supply or motor drive commodity sourcing specifically.

What we have to offer:

We are not just building components. We are reshaping the future of the Aerospace and Defense component industry, which is a $300B+ market! Come join us and help build next generation systems that will make a massive impact at global scale.

• Competitive compensation: Base Salary of $160,000 - $175,000, plus equity
• Exceptional healthcare benefits - Medical is 100% covered by the company
• Life Insurance (2x Salary) 100% covered by the company
• Flexible PTO, 401K, Financial Wellness Resources, and more