Sourcing Manager, Mechanical Commodities (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Discretionary bonuses

401(k) retirement plan

Medical, vision, dental

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sourcing Manager, Mechanical Commodities (Starlink) to lead supplier base development for satellite and ground station programs in Redmond, WA. You will manage budgets, cost strategies, and cross‑functional partnerships to reduce risk and optimize total cost of ownership.

You must negotiate with global suppliers, mentor the team, and communicate status with leadership while traveling up to 30% as needed. This on‑site role requires a strong technical and cost‑driven mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in Purchasing, planning, or supply chain management or 7+ years in the same areas.
• Experience in material cost control and supplier development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage supplier base for Starlink satellites and related subsystems.
• Provide weekly status reporting and mentor team members.
• Negotiate contracts and cost strategies with global suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on capital purchases and consumables.
• Analyze production equipment and use data analytics to drive cost and process improvements.
• Build budgets, funding requests, and capitalization plans focusing on total cost of ownership.
• Communicate equipment status, risks, and mitigation actions to leadership.
• Develop sourcing strategies to reduce risk and enable on-time delivery and savings.
• Lead cross-functional teams to reach consensus on strategic sourcing.
• Present value propositions to executives, including cost reviews and supply issues.

Skills

Purchasing

Material planning

Operations management

Cost control

Contract negotiations

Sourcing global suppliers

Prioritization

Communication

Attention to detail

Integrity and urgency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Sourcing Manager, Mechanical Commodities (Starlink)

Redmond, WA

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

The SpaceX Supply Chain Department is a critical player in our operations. To capitalize on our technical and market success, our team will execute large‑scale projects that will define the bottom line for the company. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics, and inventory. As SpaceX becomes the overall market leader, it will position us to maximize valuation, fuel growth and ensure achievement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and manage the supply base to support sourcing for the Starlink satellites, satellite subsystems and ground stations
• Provide weekly team status reporting, and elevate to management when necessary
• Train and mentor, working to ensure that the team is continuously improving
• Work directly with key suppliers to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support existing platforms and new product development
• Work directly with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support capital purchases and production consumables
• Understand the technical aspects of production equipment to identify opportunities for cost, space, and process optimization and use data analytics to identify and parse process‑related opportunities
• Utilize negotiations to maximize value, cost savings and priority in terms of delivery for SpaceX while lowering risk; manage costs to ensure alignment with program budgets
• Build and own overall project budgets, compile funding requests, and generate capitalization plans based on project timelines focusing on TCO of the categories managed
• Conduct research, perform benchmarking, and gather market analysis for assigned categories
• Communicate overall equipment status to the management team including schedules, risks and mitigation actions and respond quickly to changes to the overall goals, schedule, and architecture
• Create sourcing strategies to reduce risk, enable continuous cost reduction and align with company strategy on payment terms, cash targets, on time delivery and cost savings
• Build genuine relationships both internally and externally and drive cross‑functional teams to achieve consensus
• Present value propositions to SpaceX executives, including those related to contract award, cost reviews, cost reduction strategies and critical supply issues

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; OR 7+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
• Purchasing
• Material or production planning
• Operations or supply chain management
• Material cost control

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience directly negotiating contracts and sourcing global suppliers
• Experience with sourcing high volume manufacturing commodities (plastic injection molding, metal stamping, die casting, CNC machining, and production tooling)
• Ability to prioritize appropriately to meet internal customer and company needs
• Effective written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate to all levels of internal personnel
• Detail‑oriented, self‑motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast‑moving and ever‑changing environment
• Ability to conduct all activities with integrity and urgency

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to travel for short and extended trips as needed – up to 30% work‑week travel may be required, including international travel
• Must be able to work flexible and extended hours as well as weekends as needed
• This position is based in Redmond, WA and requires being on‑site

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range: Sourcing Manager: $115,000.00 – $150,000.00 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for round‑trip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s affirmative action plan may contact [e-mail].