Senior Optics Buyer – Remote, Aerospace & Defense

Leonardo DRS, Inc.; Clifton (TX); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

9/80 schedule

Telemedicine

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

HSA contribution

Parental leave

Job summary

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead sourcing, procurement, and supplier management for optics and precision electro-optical components.

The role requires strong negotiation skills and experience with optical materials and related manufacturing processes. The candidate will engage with engineering, quality, program management, contracts, and legal to ensure program objectives and contract requirements are met, while maintaining supplier relationships and compliance

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field and 5 years of DFAR/FAR purchasing experience in the Aerospace and Defense Industry.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement or supply chain, 3 of which in aerospace/defense.

Responsibilities

• Direct experience purchasing optical components, optical assemblies, or precision electro-optical hardware is required.
• Execute procurement activities for high-value, technically complex components and assemblies per FAR/DFARS/ITAR and policy.
• Analyze MRP/ERP demand and issue RFQs, RFPs, and POs to qualified suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier quotes for technical compliance, cost, and delivery; perform cost/price analysis and support negotiations.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to support long-term strategic sourcing.
• Ensure supplier performance by managing delivery, quality, and responsiveness; initiate corrective actions.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, program management, contracts, and legal for program objectives and contract requirements.
• Support supplier risk assessments and improvement plans.
• Assist in audits and compliance reviews related to purchasing activities.
• Lead or contribute to process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce cycle times.
• Ensure accurate procurement data input into ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Maintain records per internal procedures and government regulations.

Skills

Negotiation

Procurement

Communication

ITAR/DFARS knowledge

ERP experience (SAP/Oracle)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP ERP

Oracle ERP

Job description

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead sourcing, procurement, and supplier management for optics and precision electro-optical components.

The role requires strong negotiation skills and experience with optical materials and related manufacturing processes. The candidate will engage with engineering, quality, program management, contracts, and legal to ensure program objectives and contract requirements are met, while maintaining supplier relationships and compliance