Materials Manager, Networking & Hardware

Fluidstack; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fluidstack in Austin, TX seeks a supply chain leader for networking hardware. Own the hardware category (switches, routers, DPUs) and drive dual-sourcing, supplier negotiations, and alignment with network engineering roadmaps to land hardware launches on schedule.

You will build predictive supply chain models to forecast lead times, demand, and capacity, enabling faster deployments of frontier compute infrastructure for AI. We value clear ownership and fast execution.

Qualifications

• You have sourced networking hardware at scale from major OEMs.
• Experience negotiating terms, pricing, and lead times with vendors.

Responsibilities

• Own the networking hardware category: switches, routers, DPUs for large accelerator clusters.
• Negotiate supply agreements with networking OEMs and manage dual-sourcing.
• Align buy plans with network engineering roadmaps to land hardware on schedule.

Skills

Networking hardware

Dual-source sourcing

Vendor negotiations

Job description

About Fluidstack
We exist to make humanity more free. For most of human history, you farmed or you starved. Technology gave people more time for the things they wanted to do, instead of things they had to do. Powerful AI will be the biggest lever for human choice we've ever built - but only if models are aligned with what humanity actually wants. There are groups building AI who don't share these goals. Whoever deploys frontier compute infrastructure fastest will decide whether AI expands human freedom or shrinks it.

About Fluidstack
We exist to make humanity more free. For most of human history, you farmed or you starved. Technology gave people more time for the things they wanted to do, instead of things they had to do. Powerful AI will be the biggest lever for human choice we've ever built - but only if models are aligned with what humanity actually wants. There are groups building AI who don't share these goals. Whoever deploys frontier compute infrastructure fastest will decide whether AI expands human freedom or shrinks it. We're singularly focused on delivering 10 to 100s of GWs of compute faster than anyone else, rethinking every layer of the stack. We acquire power, design and build data centers, and operate them - with teams spanning hardware and software. Speed and scale are our key differentiators. Come be a part of building civilization-scale infrastructure for AI.
We hire people who care deeply about this problem space. If that is you, How We Operate

• Extreme ownership. Full autonomy. Own things end to end often taking on scope outside your core role without being asked to get things done.
• Velocity. We drive everything forward as fast as possible.
• First principles. Challenge every assumption. Zero analogy thinking, no egos, the best idea wins.
• Love of the game. The frontier of AI is the most interesting problem of our time. We put in long hours at high intensity to push the frontier forward.

The Supply Chain Team
Examples of key problems the team is working on

• Supply tens of gigawatts of compute, the largest build out of compute in history. Qualify and dual-source across every critical equipment category, with lead-time and capacity thresholds tied directly to the forward build pipeline.
• Make supply chain the reason we build faster than anyone. Our modular build redefines speed in this industry, and it lives or dies on supply chain. Keep procurement permanently off the critical path so schedule compression stays our advantage, not our constraint.
• Build the most accurate supply chain prediction modelling that exists. Use the frontier of AI to forecast lead times, demand, and disruption with a precision the industry has never had, and turn that foresight into a structural edge.

Role Scope

• Own the networking hardware category: switches, routers, and DPUs for fabrics connecting 100k+ accelerator clusters.
• Negotiate supply agreements with networking OEMs covering price, lead time, and roadmap access.
• Dual-source critical switch platforms and manage the qualification burden that dual-sourcing creates.
• Align buy plans with network engineering roadmaps so hardware generations land when designs need them, not after.

What We're Looking For

• The below is a starting point. We always make space for exceptional people, so if you don\'t fit this role exactly, tell us where you would.
• You\'ve sourced networking hardware at scale from major OEMs.
• You\'ve handled end-of-life and generation transitions without stranding inventory or stalling builds.
• You understand enough of the technology (optics, ASICs, port speeds) to negotiate credibly with product teams.
• You keep firmware, licensing, and support terms from becoming the expensive surprise later.
• Bonus: AI/HPC fabric hardware. White-box and ODM switching. Optics supply chains. Vendor financing structures.

We are committed to pay equity and transparency.
Fluidstack is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Fluidstack will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.