Senior Category Manager, Sensors/Mission Systems

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Generous paid time off

Company-funded commuter benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

A defense technology company is seeking a Senior Category Manager, Sensors/Mission Systems to develop and execute sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships. The role requires 5+ years of commodity management experience and may involve travel. The salary range is between $128,000 and $192,000 USD. The ideal candidate will have a background in engineering or a related field.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in commodity management of sensors or mission systems.
• Willingness to relocate to Costa Mesa, CA.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commodity strategies for sensors/mission systems.
• Own end-to-end responsibility for delivering quality parts.
• Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP and strategic sourcing processes.

Skills

Commodity management

Strategic sourcing

Cross-functional leadership

Cost analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, or related technical field

Job description

Senior Category Manager, Sensors/Mission Systems

Join to apply for the Senior Category Manager, Sensors/Mission Systems role at Anduril Industries.

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company focused on transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. The company brings the expertise, technology, and business model of 21st‑century innovators to the defense industry to accelerate the design, build, and deployment of military systems. Powered by Lattice OS, an AI‑driven operating system, Anduril delivers real‑time, 3D command and control by turning thousands of data streams into actionable insights.

About the Job

The Senior Category Manager, Sensors/Mission Systems (internally known as a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager) is the domain expert for sensor and mission‑systems commodities. In this proactive, high‑impact role you will secure critical components, materials, and services that power Anduril’s products. You will develop new supplier and sourcing partnerships that enable product enhancements, cost reductions, and supply‑chain resilience, while ensuring clear commercial agreements, intellectual property, and statements of work.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute commodity strategies for sensors/mission systems focusing on cost reduction, quality improvement, and supply‑chain resilience.
• Own end‑to‑end responsibility for delivering quality parts at the right cost when needed.
• Act as the sourcing expert for sensors/mission systems manufacturing.
• Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP and strategic sourcing processes for sensors/mission systems.
• Manage the business relationship with external contract manufacturers, ensuring continuity of supply, risk management, and cost negotiations.
• Partner with engineering teams and contract manufacturers to influence technical design specifications and customize product and manufacturing requirements.
• Perform detailed quote analysis based on cost breakdown data, deep diving into every supply‑chain element to make data‑driven TCO decisions.
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams to support prototype requirements, execute build milestones, and drive sourcing activities.
• Influence manufacturing processes, CapEx decisions, and technology directions for sensor/mission system components.
• Negotiate key agreements with suppliers to establish best‑in‑class pricing, quality, flexibility, delivery, payment, warranty, and service terms.
• Collaborate internally, negotiate tradeoffs, solicit cooperation, resolve problems, and advance new supplier or product offerings.
• Provide strong technical direction on commodity strategy throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead the operations effort of developing new and adapting existing sensor/mission system technologies.
• Develop and execute commercial agreements to reflect project expectations—including fixed and variable costs, lead times, schedules, and manufacturing capacities.
• Conduct regular technology reviews for executive staff and management.
• Own supplier performance management for respective commodities, monitoring key delivery, quality, cost, and innovation metrics.
• Act as the primary escalation point for commodity issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in commodity management of sensors/mission systems manufacturing and/or sourcing engineering.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Willingness to relocate to Costa Mesa, CA, if not already local.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
• Previous experience in defense, aerospace, automotive, high‑tech, or related industry.
• Expertise in TCO analysis for data‑driven component and supplier selection.
• Strategic thinker with experience developing commodity strategies and roadmaps alongside engineering stakeholders.
• Proven leadership in driving cross‑functional alignment toward common goals.
• Strong teamwork skills and adaptability across multiple roles.
• Ability to Obtain and maintain a U.S. TS clearance.

US Salary Range

$128,000—$192,000 USD

Healthcare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little or no cost.
• Coverage for medical insurance premiums for UK & AU roles.
• Annual contribution toward private health insurance for IE roles.

Additional Benefits

• Life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous paid time off with a holiday hiatus in December; caregiver and wellness leave available.
• Family planning & parenting support, including fertility treatments, adoption, and gestational carrier coverage.
• 24/7 free mental health resources, therapy, coaching, and legal/financial support.
• Annual professional development reimbursement.
• Company‑funded commuter benefits (region dependent).
• Relocation assistance (role eligibility dependent).

Retirement Savings Plan

• US: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after‑tax mega backdoor Roth options.
• UK & IE: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about specific compensation and benefit details during the hiring process.